that is

Talking about when we first met some time ago and I say:

I think that is the first time we met. Or

I think that was the first time we met.

Why is it is and not was when it happened in the past?

Thank you!

But why not 'was'? As this is describing past.
Or is it because she has used 'have' that you have said 'is'?
If she had used 'had' would was be okay?
Thank you.

dishantOr is it because she has used 'have' that you have said 'is'?
If she had used 'had' would was be okay?

Yes. Yes.

I don't understand why it's 'that is' when we're talking about a past event? Shouldn't it be 'was'?

Thank you!

If I say:

That was the first time I had ever driven your car - Isn't this past perfect, but it's not describing an event that happened before another past event.

I don't get how a past event can be described with:

That is the first time I have ever driven your car and it will not happen again.

Shouldn't it be:

That was the first time I have ever driv

PreciousJonesIsn't this past perfect

Yes. Think of it as a past-tense version of the present perfect there.

PreciousJonesShouldn't it be:
That was the first time I have ever driven your car and it will not happen again.

No, was doesn’t work well with have.

When the word "would/could" use?

Aspara GusQuote

I don't get how a past event can be said with:

That is the first time I have ever driven your car and it will not happen again.

PreciousJonesdon't get how a past event can be said with:
That is the first time I have ever driven your car and it will not happen again.

"that" should really be "this" but the sentence does indeed describe a past event although a very recent one. If the event isn't recent, the "that was + past perfect structure" makes much more sense.