Tense Q

Question

Ex. Yesterday, I discovered who he really is. Q. Should the be verb in past tense even though his identity (object) is still valid in the present?

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

It's optional. Either is or was works. I would use the former.

Regards · Answer

Hi,

Anonymous Should the verb be in past tense even though his identity (object) is still valid in the present?

Strictly speaking, yes. What you are speaking of is called backshifting.

Saying is is not really unusual or wrong, but there's no need to use it just to emphasize that you

are talking about a present situation. Generally speaking, native speakers of English tend to use

backshifting where it is appropriate, while foreign learners insist that a present tense be used instead.

Regards

Fivejedjon · Answer

RegardsStrictly speaking, yes.

I don't agree. Backshifting is rarely incorrect, and failure to backshift can sometimes be incorrect. However the 'strictly correct' idea of backshifting seems to me to be an invention of coursebook writers who, understandably, wish to help their readers choose the safer option.

RegardsGenerally speaking, native speakers of English tend to usebackshifting where it is appropriate,

Quite - "where it is appropriate".

Regardswhile foreign learners insist that a present tense be used instead.

My experience has been that learners are often unhappy when the backshifting they have been taught is obligatory has not been applied.

Regards · Answer

Hi,

fivejedjon However the 'strictly correct' idea of backshifting seems to me to be an invention of coursebook writers who, understandably, wish to help their readers choose the safer option.

Well, that's a matter of opinion.

fivejedjonMy experience has been that learners are often unhappy when the backshifting they have been taught is obligatory has not been applied.

Really? That's funny—I think that learners do not like the idea of backshifting...

Regards

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousShould the be verb in past tense even though his identity (object) is still valid in the present?

Either way. Focus on the person "he" in time. Odd statement, but here's what I mean.

If by "he" you mean to make an indirect reference to something an unknown person did in the past, use was. For example, in the Lone Ranger, the masked man saves the day at the end of each episode. He gallops out of town on his horse, leaving people to say, "Who was that masked man?" If someone were to discover his identity later, they could say, "Do you remember the guy that rescued us from those kidnappers three months ago? Well, yesterday I discovered who he really was." Also, if "he" has died, then most likely you discovered who he was. If by "he" you make no such reference to past deeds (or to his death), you may as well say is. Here you are concerned purely with his identity as it exists at the time you make your statement.

Palmer (The English Verb) makes the observation that backshifting is never wrong, but that doesn't mean that the unbackshifted forms can't be used.

CJ

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