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James do Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

My father is/was the third?

Hi,

I write this sentence but I don't know it's true.

My grandparents (or grandfather ?) had five children and my father was (or is ?) the third.

Wich one is correct? Is my sentence natural?

Could you suggest me the best sentence to represent my ideal?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

) the third. Your sentence is correct. I would say, My grandparents had five children, of which my father was the third.

— Avangi

  • ) the third.
  • Your sentence is correct.
  • I would say, My grandparents had five children, of which my father was the third.
  • You may use present tense in your version, but it's more natural to backshift to simple past.
  • I would not use "is" in my version.
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6 Answers
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My grandparents (or grandfather ?) had five children and my father was (or is ?) the third.

Your sentence is correct.

I would say, My grandparents had five children, of which my father was the third.

You may use present tense in your version, but it's more natural to backshift to simple past.
I would not
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AvangiMy grandparents (or grandfather ?) had five children and my father was (or is ?) the third.Your sentence is correct.I would say, My grandparents had five children, of which my father was the third.You may use present tense in your version, but it's more natural to backshift to simple past.I would not use "is" in my version.

hi Avangi,

thank
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Avangi it's more natural to backshift to simple past.
I agree. It may be because we are talking about the order of their birth, which is logically in the past.
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AvangiMy grandparents (or grandfather ?) had five children and my father was (or is ?) the third.Your sentence is correct.I would say, My grandparents had five children, of which my father was the third.You may use present tense in your version, but it's more natural to backshift to simple past.I would not use "is" in my version.
My grandparents had five child
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Hi, Yoong.
I thought about that, and decided the considerations were more clerical than personal.
In the final analysis, I went with my gut, simply asking myself which seemed more natural.
To be honest, I expected the objection to come sooner.
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Hi Avangi

Glad to have your response to my asking for confirmation!
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