Like Tree12Likes

Quick question for you English gurus

Closed Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 LastLast
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Tai Kok Tsui
    Posts
    997

    Quick question for you English gurus

    Hey, just a quick question and was wondering if someone can help me out.

    If a friend was asking about a person, or pointing at a picture of someone, would you reply stating "that was my Grandfather" or "that is my Grandfather" on the assumption that he has passed away.

    So my question is, would you use 'is' or 'was'?


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sai Kung
    Posts
    8,561

    if he has already died, that WAS my grandfather... he IS no longer...


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    23,205

    he is an ex-grandfather, he has ceased to be.


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    23,205

    Unless, of course, he's pining for the fjords.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    966

    I would say "That's my Grandfather"


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    23,205

    Could equally well mean "That was".


  7. #7

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    6,745

    That is my grandfather, he was a wonderful man.

    It's kind of like "I drive a taxi" ( for a living )
    The present tense applies to actions that took place in the past, but also takes place in the ( near ) presence and future, on a habitual or revolving basis.
    Another example is " I smoke" meaning I am a smoker.
    In the case of your grandfather, he was, is, and will always be your grandfather
    ( on paper )
    That's how I would explain it.

    Last edited by Morrison; 01-09-2011 at 10:09 PM.
    drumbrake likes this.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Midlevels
    Posts
    181

    I would say "that's..." (that is) ...


  9. #9

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    434

    What do you say if you see a statue?

    "That was Queen Victoria" ??

    Weird.

    This is a picture/photo/likeness etc of my grandfather."

    - hence "This is my grandfather (in the picture)."


    "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,
    Looking as if she were alive. I call
    That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf’s hands
    Worked busily a day, and there she stands..."

    (Browning, not me)


  10. #10

    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Tri-State
    Posts
    11,647

    Quick question for you gurus of English. Some of us aren't Brits ;-)

    Last edited by huja; 01-09-2011 at 10:00 PM.

Closed Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 LastLast