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Kenny1999 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
present or past tense confusion scenario
I have hard time deciding which tense to use in some cases
For example, She is still my wife , we are still living happily together and we are not divorced.
Does it look right?
---She married me in 2010 and we had a great wedding in our town.
Another case, now it's 2016 already. when I am talking about a fact about 2012, which one looks right?
---2012 is the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.
---2012 was the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.
I can't decide because it's a fact that 2012 = year of dragon (so “is" should be used)
but 2012 is already the past, it looks like "was" should be used.
I can't decide.
One more example,
--Albert Einstein is the greatest scientist in the history of mankind
--Albert Einstein was the greatest scientist in the history of mankind
It's just an example, I don't know if he is really the greatest scientist or not. It's out of our discussion, but in my context, I believe that he is still the greatest scientist, even though it's now 2016 and he has passed away for many many years.
which one looks right?
For example, She is still my wife , we are still living happily together and we are not divorced.
Does it look right?
---She married me in 2010 and we had a great wedding in our town.
Another case, now it's 2016 already. when I am talking about a fact about 2012, which one looks right?
---2012 is the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.
---2012 was the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.
I can't decide because it's a fact that 2012 = year of dragon (so “is" should be used)
but 2012 is already the past, it looks like "was" should be used.
I can't decide.
One more example,
--Albert Einstein is the greatest scientist in the history of mankind
--Albert Einstein was the greatest scientist in the history of mankind
It's just an example, I don't know if he is really the greatest scientist or not. It's out of our discussion, but in my context, I believe that he is still the greatest scientist, even though it's now 2016 and he has passed away for many many years.
which one looks right?
Top answer
kenny1999 She married me in 2010 and we had a great wedding in our town. Yes, it looks right. The marriage is current but the wedding is past tense.
- kenny1999 She married me in 2010 and we had a great wedding in our town.
- Yes, it looks right.
- The marriage is current but the wedding is past tense.
- kenny1999 2012 was the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.
- Past tense is used once the year has passed.
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4 Answers
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kenny1999She married me in 2010 and we had a great wedding in our town.Yes, it looks right. The marriage is current but the wedding is past tense.
kenny19992012 was the year of dragon in Chinese calendar.Past tense is used once the year has passed. It continues to be fact that it was the year of the dragon.
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He is dead but he is still the greatest one, in my context
Why not Is
Why not Is
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I don't think it makes much difference if you say "was" because Mr. E. is dead or "is" because he's still the greatest. Nothing of any importance hinges on that choice.
I would say "is", but others might say "was". I recommend that you not worry about it.
I would say "is", but others might say "was". I recommend that you not worry about it.
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CalifJimI don't think it makes much difference if you say "was" because Mr. E. is dead or "is" because he's still the greatest. Nothing of any importance hinges on that choice.I would say "is", but others might say "was". I recommend that you not worry about it. CJI have to be more strict in English grammar because I am actually a non-native English tutor.
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