[Grammar] Mozart was/is the great composer who ever lived.

[kadioguy]

a. Some people say Mozart was the great composer who ever lived.
b. Some people say Mozart is the great composer who ever lived.
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Are both of them acceptable?
Is there any difference in meaning between them?

 

[kadioguy]

Neither is acceptable; you need greatest, not great.
​Both tenses are possible.

a. Some people say Mozart was the greatest composer who ever lived.
b. Some people say Mozart is the greatest composer who ever lived.
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I think that (b) means people think it is the truth, so that the verb is the present simple. But how about (a)? Does (a) mean Mozart was the greatest composer only in the past? We are not sure if he is still the greatest composer now. Right?

 

[SoothingDave]

No. The meaning is the same either way it's worded.

 

[kadioguy]

No. The meaning is the same either way it's worded.

Why? Could you tell me more, please? :shock:

 

[SoothingDave]

It can be "he was" the greatest because he is dead. Or it can be "he is" the greatest because he is still the greatest, regardless of being dead or not.

 

[kadioguy]

It can be "he was" the greatest because he is dead. Or it can be "he is" the greatest because he is still the greatest, regardless of being dead or not.

If I want to say "he was the greatest before, but now he is not the greatest", how can I say it?

 

[Tarheel]

One possibility.

Mozart was the greatest composer prior to the modern era.

Another.

Mozart was the greatest composer, but _________ is better.

 

[Roman55]

If I want to say "he was the greatest before, but now he is not the greatest", how can I say it?

Mozart used to be the greatest composer who ever lived, until...

Mozart was the greatest composer who ever lived, until...

 

[GoesStation]

The American mathematician and humorist Tom Lehrer once remarked that, when Mozart was his age, he'd been dead for ten years.

 

[kadioguy]

a. Some people say Mozart was the greatest composer who ever lived.
b. Some people say Mozart is the greatest composer who ever lived.
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Please let me draw a conclusion:

(a) means the following:
1. Mozart was the greatest composer prior to the modern era.
2. Mozart was the greatest composer, but _________ is better.

(b) means the following:
Mozart is still the greatest, regardless of being dead or not.

Am I right?

 

[Rover_KE]

a. Some people say Mozart was the greatest composer who ever lived.
b. Some people say Mozart is the greatest composer who ever lived.
--------
Please let me draw a conclusion:

(a) means the following:
1. Mozart was the greatest composer prior to the modern era.
2. Mozart was the greatest composer, but _________ is better.

(b) means the following:
Mozart is still the greatest, regardless of being dead or not.

Am I right?

No, you aren't right. You can't make those statements as if they were incontrovertible truths.

You have to include in every sentence something like 'Some people say' or 'In my opinion'.

 

[Tarheel]

If I want to say "he was the greatest before, but now he is not the greatest", how can I say it?

Kadioguy, post #8 was in response to that (post #7).

You have beaten a dead horse.

 

[kadioguy]

Kadioguy, post #8 was in response to that (post #7).

You have beaten a dead horse.

I am afraid that you're mistaken. What you quoted is really the post #7.

 

[Tarheel]

I am afraid that you're mistaken. What you quoted is really (no "the") post #7.

That's exactly what I intended! Also, if you read those two posts it might clear up any confusion on your part.