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Jack Churchill Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Which is correct?

This was the only area in the market...
OR
That was the only area in the market...
Which is correct for the sentence to be set in the past? It is an extract from a descriptive writing piece and at this point I am currently focusing on a specific area so I'm not sure if "that was" would fit.
  

Top answer

Jack Churchill Which is correct for the sentence to be set in the past? We usually use 'that' with the past because we sense remoteness both with 'that' and with the past. Likewise, 'this' seems to go better with the present tense.

— CalifJim

  • Jack Churchill Which is correct for the sentence to be set in the past?
  • We usually use 'that' with the past because we sense remoteness both with 'that' and with the past.
  • Likewise, 'this' seems to go better with the present tense.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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Jack ChurchillWhich is correct for the sentence to be set in the past?
We usually use 'that' with the past because we sense remoteness both with 'that' and with the past. Likewise, 'this' seems to go better with the present tense.

CJ
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Thank you for the clear explanation.
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