Hi,
in the sentence below should I use is/was, past tense or present tense or event another tense.
The id of an object cannot be changed once the object is/was created.
Say, this sentence is used in an instruction guide. Should I use is or was. I only know that past tense should only be used to describe past events. But in this sentence, it is an instruction. what is the grammer point here? I am confused.
Cheers
2006-12-27 00:03:37 · 32 answers · asked by Iwanttoknow 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
was created
2006-12-27 06:33:36 · answer #1 · answered by Grapy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should use 'is', but if you get stuck in future try changing the sentence around, eg 'once created, the id of an object cannot be changed' or 'the id of an object cannot be changed once created'.
I hope you don't mind me mentioning it, but grammar is with an 'a' not an 'e'. The only reason I have brought this up is I got the impression you may be writing some instruction guidelines and I am sure you would prefer to get it right, rather than go to print.
Hope this helps
2006-12-27 00:19:56 · answer #2 · answered by PMF 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the context you describe, you want to use the present tense. Therefore, if you want to construct the sentence with the existing structure, use "is".
If you did want to use "was", you'd need to change the sentence to: "The ID of an object could not be changed once the object was created." You would have to put the other verbs into the past tense as well (i.e. 'can' becomes 'could').
2006-12-27 00:12:08 · answer #3 · answered by zodiacs_cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Is' is correct here. Since the object has not yet been created the sentence is in the present/future tense.In the past it would be:
The ID of an object was n't able to be changed once the object had been created.
2006-12-27 01:23:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct word is "is" or "has been" . Because the instruction is being read in the present tense.
It would read "could not be changed" if you were to use the verb "was". This would not be the correct phrasing for an instruction guide.
2006-12-27 00:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by cloud43 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ID of an object cannot be changed once created.
No need for is and / or was.
2006-12-27 00:05:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use the present tense. If you want the grammar, "created" is a past participle, so it refers to the past anyway.
IOW, "is created" is a kind of past tense, so "is" is fine.
You could also say "has been created". Same thing.
2006-12-27 00:23:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
think you have a greater grasp of grammar than the writer of that instruction guide.
The identity of an object cannot be changed once that object has been created.
past
Note that the identity of an object cannot be changed once the object is created.
future
2006-12-27 00:09:22 · answer #8 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would use 'is' in that sentence. If you want to use 'was' you'd maybe need to change the word 'once' to 'since'.
Hope that made sense in your question of tense.
2006-12-27 00:12:12 · answer #9 · answered by Princess415 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is. This looks like present tense to me.
2006-12-27 00:06:29 · answer #10 · answered by CHAD M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need the "perfect progressive" tense, which describes an action which began in the past but still remains in effect: "has been".
2006-12-27 00:06:57 · answer #11 · answered by gvih2g2 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋