Please enlighten me on the correct usage of "was".
2007-07-12 19:33:27 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
either he was a silly boy and now hes a silly man,,or maybe hes smarter now,,,OR maybe hes dead
2007-07-12 19:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by vanessa c 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was is used to represent a past action or event. As in this case, was is used because the boy's state of being (silliness) is no longer in effect or, was is used to describe that 'he' used to be a silly boy which he no longer is; maybe outgrown his being silly or his silliness, whichever the sentence implies.
2007-07-12 19:47:17 · answer #2 · answered by annabelle p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have different meanings.
If he is no longer silly then the sentence describes how he used to be. (i.g. He was a silly boy but learned that the behavior wasn't appreciated. So he changed his ways and no longer acts silly.)
If the surrounding information is about the past then it is describing how he acted at that point in time. He may still be silly. (i.g. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. He was a silly boy.)
2007-07-12 19:40:57 · answer #3 · answered by Rainman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sentence is written/spoken in past tense. Its an opinion about a person, probably he didn't have enough guts to say it on his face, otherwise the sentence would have been "You are a silly boy".
2007-07-12 19:54:43 · answer #4 · answered by ankita c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either he's an adult now, so he WAS a boy in the past, or he's usually serious, but yesterday he WAS silly, or it's a contrast...he WASN'T a sarcastic boy but he WAS a silly boy.
2007-07-12 19:37:08 · answer #5 · answered by embroidery fan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was is past tense. So in the sentence it would mean that, he used to be a silly boy and isn't anymore, or he'd dead. :D
2007-07-12 19:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by Poopdragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's technically fabulous to me, in American English. yet, some English instructors might say that the 2nd sentence makes use of a DOUBLE unfavorable, which confuses some human beings and the sentence may well be greater suitable if written "use words which you oftentimes use in speaking and writing." it form of feels to me that some instructors are massive in this rule, and others do not care approximately it in any respect. additionally, i disagree with the assertion. in case you purely use words which you oftentimes use, how do you build vocabulary, and get fabulous pronunciations? I understand that purely making use of words you understand ensures which you do not use the incorrect be conscious, or use a be conscious improperly, yet... making use of latest words is powerful for you. area of increasing your vocabulary.
2016-12-14 07:22:42 · answer #7 · answered by jaffe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Past-tense. Not necessarily now, but he was a silly boy in the past.
2007-07-12 19:36:11 · answer #8 · answered by Moral Orel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Was" is the past tense of "is" a "to be" verb.
"He was a silly boy" might mean that
1) there is a boy who used to be silly, but he's no longer silly
or
2) there once was a boy and he was silly.
2007-07-12 19:39:26 · answer #9 · answered by A.Lee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if u are talking about someone who was previously a "silly boy" thats why its past tense.
other than that "was" is used because you wrote it in.
2007-07-12 19:36:21 · answer #10 · answered by Christyv32 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋