[Grammar] Should we use past tense to refer to a damaged vehicle as well?

[cubezero3]

Hello, everyone.

When talking about a deceased person, we use the past tenses. For example, we would say He wrote five books to express two things. First, this person is dead. And second, in his life he wrote five books.

I am quite intrigued as to whether this rule applies to lifeless things.

Say, my only car has recently been heavily damaged. No one can use it anymore unless it's repaired. So my car, in the same sense a person is dead, is gone.

Should I say I had a car instead of I have a car?

Many thanks

Richard

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello, everyone.

When talking about a deceased person, we use the past tenses. For example, we would say He wrote five books to express two things. First, this person is dead. And second, in his life he wrote five books.

I am quite intrigued as to whether this rule applies to lifeless things.

Say, my only car has recently been heavily damaged. No one can use it anymore unless it's repaired. So my car, in the same sense a person is dead, is gone.

Should I say I had a car instead of I have a car?

Many thanks

Richard

No, if you still own it you still have a car, even if you can't use it.