0
Peaceblinkfriend Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Are there any differences between 'Ben is right' and 'Ben was right'?thanks

0 Hi all,02br
02br
00Are there any differences between 'Ben is right' and 'Ben was right' ?02br
02br
00Thanks for your help.02br
02br
00Best wishes,02br
00Ernest 0-
  

Top answer

02font 02br 02br 00Simplyput, one relates to the present, one to the past. 02br 02br 01font 00 eg A week ago, Ben said 'Two plus two is four'. 02font 02br 02br 01font 00Best wishes, Clive02br 02font 010id1

  • 02font 02br 02br 00Simplyput, one relates to the present, one to the past.
  • 02br 02br 01font 00 eg A week ago, Ben said 'Two plus two is four'.
  • 02font 02br 02br 01font 00Best wishes, Clive02br 02font 010id1
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
0Hi,02br
02br
01font00Are there any differences between 'Ben is right' and 'Ben was right' ?02font02br
02br
00Simplyput, one relates to the present, one to the past. 05002br
02br
00Here are some simple examples where you'd naturally use past tense.02br
02br
00eg A week ago, Ben
0
0I think I understand what you mean. Thanks Clive.05002br
02br
01i00A week ago, Ben told me to listen to Kate's advice, but I igored Kate's advice. I now regret I did not listen to Kate's advice. 02br
02i
02br
00In this case, should I say 'Kate is right'? Or should I say 'Kate was right'.02br
02br
00Thanks again.02br
0
0 I would say both "Ben was right - I should have listened to Kate." and "Kate was right." 0-
0
0 Thanks for you reply, Grammar Geek. 02br
02br
00But if I say 'Ben was right - I should have listened to Kate', will it sound like Ben was right before but he isn't now? 02br
02br
00Thanks again.02br
02br
00Best wishes,02br
00Ernest0-
0
0Ben's advice to listen to Kate as well as the opportunity to do so 01i00were both in the past02i00. He's not telling me 01i00now 02i00to listen to Kate.02br
02br
00In contrast, if he told me to listen to a new radio station that is still playing music, I could say "Ben is right - this is a great station."0-
0
0I think I understand now. Thank you for your help, Grammer Geek. 05002br
02br
00Best wishes,02br
00Ernest010id1

Related Questions