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Lucas21c Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
tense
Could you tell me whether both of (A) and (B) are okay in the following sentence? Thank you.
A recent study found that 87 out of 91 former NFL players [ (A) had / (B) have ] a brain desease called CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
A recent study found that 87 out of 91 former NFL players [ (A) had / (B) have ] a brain desease called CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Top answer
Use "had" as it is the safer choice. "Have" can work if you know for a fact that the players still (at the time of writing) have the disease.
- Use "had" as it is the safer choice.
- "Have" can work if you know for a fact that the players still (at the time of writing) have the disease.
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6 Answers
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Use "had" as it is the safer choice.
"Have" can work if you know for a fact that the players still (at the time of writing) have the disease.
"Have" can work if you know for a fact that the players still (at the time of writing) have the disease.
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I'd use "have" because as far as I've heard, that disease never goes away. That's probably why it's got the word "chronic" as part of its name.
CJ
CJ
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CalifJimI'd use "have" because as far as I've heard, that disease never goes away. That's probably why it's got the word "chronic" as part of its name.CJThat's a fair point, assuming the players are still alive.
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teechrassuming ... still aliveYikes! Another fly in the ointment!
CJ
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If all of them already died of the disease, then is "A recent study found that 87 out of 91 former NFL players have a brain desease called CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy" wrong?
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lucas21cIf all of them already died of the disease, then is "A recent study found that 87 out of 91 former NFL players have a brain desease called CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy" wrong?Yes. Use "had" in that case.
CJ
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