Is used - was used

Question

Hello,"The present continuous is used to talk about present situations."Question 1: Do I understand correctly that "is used" in the sentence above is because the subject is not specified?Question 2: If it was "was used" it meant that something had been done in the past tense and not used in the present anymore?Question 3: The sentence above is about a grammar law which we always use. So, why don't we say "is using" instead?Thanks.

Persian Learner · Accepted Answer

Karen15Question 3: The sentence above is about a grammar law which we always use. So, why don't we say "is using" instead?
Because it wouldn't be grammatical.
The present continuous ~~is using~~ to talk about present situations.
The grammatical version is: "The present continuous is being used to talk about present situations."
The active form would be: "They are using the present continuous to talk about present situations. "
It doesn't seem to express a general fact/rule, but a temporary continuous case.

Karen15Question 2: If it was "was used", it meant that something had been done in the past tense and not used in the present anymore?
That way, the given rule wouldn't be valid any longer now.
The active voice would be:"They used the present continues to talk about present situations."
Karen15Question 1: Do I understand correctly that "is used" in the sentence above is because the subject is not specified?

The subject is 'The present continuous'. The simple present is used because it's a fact/rule.

The active voice would be: "They use the simple present to talk about present situations."

The subject in the active voice is nonspecific/unknown, so the passive voice is preferable.

P.S.

I don't like the new word processor!

CalifJim · Answer

Persian LearnerI don't like the new word processor!

Join the club! My understanding is that it is "a work in progress" and that it will change over time to something better.

CJ

Karen15 · Answer

Persian LearnerThat way, the given rule wouldn't be valid any longer now.The active voice would be:"They used the present continues to talk about present situations.

Thank you so much.

Could you please give me some examples that include "was used"?

"The subject in the active voice is nonspecific/unknown, so the passive voice is preferable. P.S.I don't like the new word processor!

Does it mean that the reason we say "is used" is because the subject is nonspecific/unknown?

Persian Learner · Answer

Karen15Does it mean that the reason we say "is used" is because the subject is nonspecific/unknown?
Yes, when the subject isn't important to the reader,or is clear to the reader, or is unknown, or nonspecific in the active form of the sentence.
We don't care who uses the rule; everybody has to use the rule if they want to be correct (in your sentence).
For example: "People use Paracetamol to treat pain and to lower a high temperature."
In this example, we don't mean a specific person, but all people, so the subject (people) of the sentence is crystal clear to the reader and is not necessary; therefore, it is removed in the passive form:
"Paracetamol is used to treat pain and to lower a high temperature."
Karen15Could you please give me some examples that include "was used"?

Active:They used a new computer to surf the Internet.

Passive: A new computer was used (by them) to surf the Internet.

Active: The teacher used a new grammar book for the course.

Passive: A new grammar book was used (by the teacher) for the course.

Active: They used a different grammar style 100 years ago.

Passive: A different grammar style was used (by them) 100 years ago.

Whenever we think that the action is more important than the doer of the action, or the doer is somehow unknown, we use the passive form (the object becomes the subject, and the doer is optionally expressed after 'by'.

Karen15 · Answer

Persian Learner Karen15Does it mean that the reason we say "is used" is because the subject is nonspecific/unknown? Yes, when the subject isn't important to the reader,or is clear to the reader...

Thank you so much.

Is used - was used

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions