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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

is, was

Hi!

Have I used 'was' and 'is' correctly in...

1) For them to have done all those things was disgraceful

2) For him to have said was things is terrible ('was' would fit here too, I think)

Thanks
  

Top answer

You could use "is" in the first sentence instead of "was". Should your second sentence read "For him to have said all those things is terrible"? It makes no sense with "was" in front of "things".

— Feebs11

  • You could use "is" in the first sentence instead of "was".
  • Should your second sentence read "For him to have said all those things is terrible"?
  • It makes no sense with "was" in front of "things".
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4 Answers
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You could use "is" in the first sentence instead of "was".

Should your second sentence read "For him to have said all those things is terrible"? It makes no sense with "was" in front of "things".
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Whoops!, I meant 'those things'

My mind must have been elsewhere!
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HI guys,

1) For them to have done all those things was disgraceful

After thinking about this for a while, I'd like to offer the opinion that 'was' is OK here. The 'to have done' looks like it is relating a time period to the present, but it really doesn't. We say things like

'For Napoloen to have done this was surprising.' (Past refe
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