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ESLBeginner Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

'is' or 'was'

Hello, here's a case: 1 hour ago I was reading a book, and I found an error - obviously that error will continue being there until the book is destroyed.

Then I tell another one. Should I say 'I found it was wrong' or 'I found it is wrong' ?


Thanks.
  

Top answer

You can say either. You tend to use "is" if the fact that it's wrong is significant in the present situation, and "was" if not. In conversation "it is" would usually be contracted to "it's".

— Mr Wordy

  • You can say either.
  • You tend to use "is" if the fact that it's wrong is significant in the present situation, and "was" if not.
  • In conversation "it is" would usually be contracted to "it's".
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4 Answers
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You can say either. You tend to use "is" if the fact that it's wrong is significant in the present situation, and "was" if not.

In conversation "it is" would usually be contracted to "it's".
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Hello,

If I could ask a related question although this post did not originally come from me, thanks. I came up with this example.

Example: I checked the report and found out that the balance for last year is GBP 1,000.

1. Can 'is' be used because the balance for last year didn't change and holds true up to the present?
2. Let's say the balance
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1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. Correct.

4. Yes.

5. Often yes, though there is a dependency on the wider context.
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Thank you for answering all my questions. This is perfectly clear to me now. Great help!
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