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Futurehuman11 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
was or is
While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner is/was great.
I think I should use 'is' because 'was' opens the door to ambiguity. What do you think?
I think I should use 'is' because 'was' opens the door to ambiguity. What do you think?
Top answer
Hello FH, 1. While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner is great. 2.
- Hello FH, 1.
- While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner is great.
- 2.
- While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner was great.
- Both forms are common.
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3 Answers
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Hello FH,
1. While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner is great.
2. While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner was great.
Both forms are common. The present tense "is" in #1 suggests that the nacho stand continues to be "great", as it was at the time of the conversation. The past tense "was" in #2 i
1. While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner is great.
2. While waiting in line, the man told me that the nacho stand around the corner was great.
Both forms are common. The present tense "is" in #1 suggests that the nacho stand continues to be "great", as it was at the time of the conversation. The past tense "was" in #2 i
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How could using 'is' be interpreted as misleading? Because I say 'told me', a past tense verb, it is understood that I am are referring only to the converstation.
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Hello FH,
My comment was only half-serious. Consider these examples:
1. A said that B is pretty.
2. A said that B was pretty.
In ordinary conversation, you will hear both forms; and in both forms, the addressee will understand that "B = pretty" represents the opinion of A at the time of speaking. The tense of the verb merely reflects a difference in preference b
My comment was only half-serious. Consider these examples:
1. A said that B is pretty.
2. A said that B was pretty.
In ordinary conversation, you will hear both forms; and in both forms, the addressee will understand that "B = pretty" represents the opinion of A at the time of speaking. The tense of the verb merely reflects a difference in preference b
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