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Pleasehelp Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Happened

I'm having a conversation with a friend in real time and I'm describing something that happened in the past:

"So this was what happened. He was like I'm getting married next year but I'm not sure if I'm ready." Or

"So this is what happened. He's like I'm getting married next year but I'm not sure if I'm ready."

If I'm describing something that happened a few hours ago which is still in the past should I continue to use past tense or should it be in present tense?
  

Top answer

You can use either. "is" in the first sentence is OK at all levels of English, whereas "is" in the second is colloquial. In the first sentence I would more naturally use "is".

— Mr Wordy

  • You can use either.
  • "is" in the first sentence is OK at all levels of English, whereas "is" in the second is colloquial.
  • In the first sentence I would more naturally use "is".
  • I have a personal loathing for the expression "He is/was like" in the way you've used it.
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3 Answers
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You can use either. "is" in the first sentence is OK at all levels of English, whereas "is" in the second is colloquial. In the first sentence I would more naturally use "is".

I have a personal loathing for the expression "He is/was like" in the way you've used it.
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How come you loathe such expression?

So you're saying when in speech/conversation I can use the present tense to describe a past situation since I'm speaking in the present?

Thanks!

eg. Yesterday I jumped the fence and the security guard caught up to me and was like all upset. I had to stop and talk to him so I'm like, sorry about this it won't happen again and he
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pleasehelpHow come you loathe such expression?
I find it sloppy and lazy. I associate it with people whose English is impoverished. You may want to canvass other people's opinions here to see if it's just me (it's not uncommon for people to have pet hates where the use of English is concerned!)
pleasehelpSo you're saying when in speech/
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