correct tense: [my first watch is...] or [my first watch was...]
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:57 pm
Suppose that ABC is a brand name of watches. I am now holding an ABC watch in my hand. This is what I am going to say.
I have made up three similar examples below.
(1) My first watch is/was ABC.
(2) ABC is/was the first watch I ever got.
(3) This is/was the first ABC watch I ever got for my collection.
Some of my non-native English speaking friends think even though you are holding the watch in your hand, you should use the past time "was" in (1) and (2). However, you can use either "is" or "was" for (3).
I am totally confused. Since my own sentences are very similar, I thought I could use "is" for all of them when you are holding the watch in your hand and talking about it. Please help me. Thank you very much.
I have made up three similar examples below.
(1) My first watch is/was ABC.
(2) ABC is/was the first watch I ever got.
(3) This is/was the first ABC watch I ever got for my collection.
Some of my non-native English speaking friends think even though you are holding the watch in your hand, you should use the past time "was" in (1) and (2). However, you can use either "is" or "was" for (3).
I am totally confused. Since my own sentences are very similar, I thought I could use "is" for all of them when you are holding the watch in your hand and talking about it. Please help me. Thank you very much.