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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Scar: Is vs. Was
That scar on his face is caused by the accident he had last summer.
That scar on his face was caused by the accident he had last summer.
I was wondering if which linking verb is correct for the sentence above especially when spoken in conversations.
1. Is it 'is' for the reason that the scar is still present on the person's face?
2. Or is it 'is', because at the time of speaking, the scar is a remain of the wound he had?
3. Or is it 'was', because of the phrase 'last summer' when he had an accident that caused the wound?
That scar on his face was caused by the accident he had last summer.
I was wondering if which linking verb is correct for the sentence above especially when spoken in conversations.
1. Is it 'is' for the reason that the scar is still present on the person's face?
2. Or is it 'is', because at the time of speaking, the scar is a remain of the wound he had?
3. Or is it 'was', because of the phrase 'last summer' when he had an accident that caused the wound?
Top answer
"not only because it's according to the time of speaking but also the scar is present so we can't use "was" if it's here.
- "not only because it's according to the time of speaking but also the scar is present so we can't use "was" if it's here.
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12 Answers
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To my point of view,I think I should've said " That scar on his face is caused by the accident he had last summer."not only because it's according to the time of speaking but also the scar is present so we can't use "was" if it's here.
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No, not right, ELH, sorry. The causing happened in the past. 'Was' is the only correct choice here: reason #3.
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So,it's like we say that the accident caused the scar,am I right ?,sorry I got confused.
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That's right: look to the verb. It is just the passive form of this:
The accident he had last summer caused that scar on his face.
The accident he had last summer caused that scar on his face.
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Many thanks,actually I've never had problem regarding the use of passive,but everything has a beginning.
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Thank you, MM and ELH, for your answers. I've learned a lot from your exchanges.
Just a follow-up question, if I change the verb 'caused by' to a noun 'trace', is 'is' acceptable even if there is the phrase 'last summer'?
If 'is' and 'was' are both acceptable, how are they different?
That scar is a trace of the accident he had last summ
Just a follow-up question, if I change the verb 'caused by' to a noun 'trace', is 'is' acceptable even if there is the phrase 'last summer'?
If 'is' and 'was' are both acceptable, how are they different?
That scar is a trace of the accident he had last summ
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Yes for "is" in both of those, though "trace" isn't exactly what I"d use.
The scar is a reminder of...
The scar is evidence of...
I'm sure there are a few others as well.
Definitely I would use "is" for the photo: That's my dad when he as in the Navy, that's us at last year's Halloween party, etc.
The scar is a reminder of...
The scar is evidence of...
I'm sure there are a few others as well.
Definitely I would use "is" for the photo: That's my dad when he as in the Navy, that's us at last year's Halloween party, etc.
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Thank you, Grammar Geek, for your clarification.
If I'm pointing at someone or something at the time of speaking should I always use 'is'?
That scar is so long.
That scar is evidence of...
But I wonder why I cannot say 'That scar is caused by an accident he had last summer'.
With the 'photo' example, we can use 'is' to point at '
If I'm pointing at someone or something at the time of speaking should I always use 'is'?
That scar is so long.
That scar is evidence of...
But I wonder why I cannot say 'That scar is caused by an accident he had last summer'.
With the 'photo' example, we can use 'is' to point at '
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AnonymousBut I wonder why I cannot say 'That scar is caused by an accident he had last summer'.Grammatically, it is fine. But you have to consider the meaning of the verb. "Cause" always goes back to the time of the incident, because that is when the cause was present.
His carelessness caused the accident. (A time in the past.)
Carelessness
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Thank you, AlpheccaStars, for your answer. I see it is because of the time when the verb happens.
If I rephrase my sentence to the following, would you agree that 'is' is not only grammatically fine but also appropriate in saying this while pointing at the scar?
That scar is the result of the accident he had last summer.
'is the result' and 'w
If I rephrase my sentence to the following, would you agree that 'is' is not only grammatically fine but also appropriate in saying this while pointing at the scar?
That scar is the result of the accident he had last summer.
'is the result' and 'w
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