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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Summarizing with 'so': those are vs. those were
A. We have milk, eggs, meat and vegetables. So those are what are on the list.
B. We have milk, eggs, meat and vegetables. We should bring them all to her house. So those were what are on the list.
1. Is sentence A correct with 'are' because summarizing with 'so' comes right after saying what are included in the list?
2. If A is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'were' instead of 'are', although only seconds have passed?
3. Is sentence B correct with 'were' because summarizing with 'so' did not come right after saying what are included in the list?
4. If B is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'are' instead of 'were'?
5. I'm not sure about my interpretations. If it's wrong, please advise what is the difference of saying 'are' and 'were' in each sentence above.
Thank you in advance much for your assistance.
B. We have milk, eggs, meat and vegetables. We should bring them all to her house. So those were what are on the list.
1. Is sentence A correct with 'are' because summarizing with 'so' comes right after saying what are included in the list?
2. If A is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'were' instead of 'are', although only seconds have passed?
3. Is sentence B correct with 'were' because summarizing with 'so' did not come right after saying what are included in the list?
4. If B is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'are' instead of 'were'?
5. I'm not sure about my interpretations. If it's wrong, please advise what is the difference of saying 'are' and 'were' in each sentence above.
Thank you in advance much for your assistance.
Top answer
Judging only from the context you have presented to us: 1. -- No; it is correct because those things are currently on the list. 2.
- Judging only from the context you have presented to us: 1.
- -- No; it is correct because those things are currently on the list.
- 2.
- -- No; because those things are currently on the list.
- 3.
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10 Answers
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Judging only from the context you have presented to us:
1. Is sentence A correct with 'are' because summarizing with 'so' comes right after saying what are included in the list?-- No; it is correct because those things are currently on the list.
2. If A is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'were' instead of 'are', although only seconds have p
1. Is sentence A correct with 'are' because summarizing with 'so' comes right after saying what are included in the list?-- No; it is correct because those things are currently on the list.
2. If A is correct, is it also possible and natural to say 'were' instead of 'are', although only seconds have p
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Thank you for answering all my questions.
I thought 'those were' or 'that was' could be used to refer back to what was/were said earlier, but here, the use of the correct tense, which is 'those are' is based on what is currently on the list.
Are there also instances when 'those were' or 'that was' is used because it just refers to what was/were
I thought 'those were' or 'that was' could be used to refer back to what was/were said earlier, but here, the use of the correct tense, which is 'those are' is based on what is currently on the list.
Are there also instances when 'those were' or 'that was' is used because it just refers to what was/were
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I'm sure that it so, but probably not so likely if it is in nearby text.
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In those other contexts, is one sentence apart enough to justify the use of 'those were' or 'that was'?
Or is it a matter of time like if it was said at least a minute ago, then we could use 'those were' or 'that was'? If so, "those are" or "that is" would be wrong, then.
I'm sorry if this sounds I'm overanalyzing, because it's really confusing. My native language only use one tens
Or is it a matter of time like if it was said at least a minute ago, then we could use 'those were' or 'that was'? If so, "those are" or "that is" would be wrong, then.
I'm sorry if this sounds I'm overanalyzing, because it's really confusing. My native language only use one tens
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I don't see that we can judge it by time, but if you give me more examples, I will pass judgement.
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I met her in the summer of 2000. She was 20 and I was 21, then. After our first date, we went on seeing each other everyday, not missing a single day. She introduced me to her parents, and then, a month had passed, we got engaged and married after 6 months. Now, we are going to celebrate our anniversary tonight. And that was the story of my life.
1. In the text above,
1. In the text above,
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Still 'that is', to my mind. The story is right there, present and evident.
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Mister MicawberStill 'that is', to my mind. The story is right there, present and evident.That makes sense to me. Thank you for your explanation.
I really can't think of an example where 'that was' is correct.
Just one more try, if you could pass judgement on this, please.
Jim: I was in Paris last spring.
Chloe: Wh
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1. Do you think 'that was' is correct here?-- At least it works.
2. If so, is it because 'that' in 'that was' refers to what Jim did last spring (far from now)?-- Yes, it seems to refer to what he did rather than being the speaker's current opinion (which is also an option here).
3. Or is it because Jim's activity was said earlier in the exchange?- No.
2. If so, is it because 'that' in 'that was' refers to what Jim did last spring (far from now)?-- Yes, it seems to refer to what he did rather than being the speaker's current opinion (which is also an option here).
3. Or is it because Jim's activity was said earlier in the exchange?- No.
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I'm glad I was able to provide an example that works.
Thank you for answering all my questions one by one. I really appreciate that. I now understand.
Thank you for answering all my questions one by one. I really appreciate that. I now understand.
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