Is or was?

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Hi,Many years after his discovery, Fleming would remark 'I certainly didn't plan to revolutionize all medicine by discovering the world's first antibiotic, or bacteria killer.But I suppose that's exactly what I did'. Q:Why does the writer say,'...that's...' ,and not '...that was...' in the sentence?Is using 'was' incorrect?Thanks.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It is a direct quote. That is exactly what Fleming habitually said.

If Flemming had said, "that was", then the writer would be correct in saying "that was".

Nsfs2 · Answer

AlpheccaStarsIt is a direct quote. That is exactly what Fleming habitually said.If Flemming had said, "that was", then the writer would be correct in saying "that was".

I meant, why did Fleming say '...that's exactly what I did.', and not '...that was exactly what I did.'?

Thanks, AlpheccaStars.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

That (subject) is (verb) what I did. (complement)

It is very common to use the present tense in this kind of sentence.
The action is past (I did), but the speaker is thinking of it in the present. (That is....)
He could think of it as an entirely past action and use "That was..."

Nsfs2 · Answer

Thanks a lot.

CalifJim · Answer

nsfs2Why ... '...that's...' ,and not '...that was...'

The equality between "that" (revolutionizing medicine) and "what I did" is timeless, in essence a logical equality of one thing with another. Timeless equalities like this are usually expressed with the present tense. 'was' is not incorrect, however. It turns out that in expressing this sort of timeless equality, the exact tense does not matter very much, but the present is a very typical choice.

"To be or not to be". That is what Shakespeare wrote.
Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated. According to some historians, that is what started World War I.
The earth is the center of the universe, and the sun goes around the earth. That is what the ancients believed.

CJ

Nsfs2 · Answer

CalifJim nsfs2Why ... '...that's...' ,and not '...that was...'The equality between "that" (revolutionizing medicine) and "what I did" is timeless, in essence a logical equality of one thing with another. Timeless equalities like this are usually expressed with the present tense. 'was' is not incorrect, however. It turns out that in expressing this sort of timeless equality, the exact tense does not matter very much, but the present is a very typical choice."To be or not to be". That is what Shakespeare wrote.Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated. According to some historians, that is what started World War I.The earth is the center of the universe, and the sun goes around the earth. That is what the ancients believed.CJ

Thanks,CalifJim.

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