Is Vs was

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FalaGringo

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May 28, 2021
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Interested in Language
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English
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UK
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England
I would like to know whether or not it is possible to use "Is" instead of "Was" when talking about a situation in the past which still in effect now?

"What was your name again?" One would ask after forgetting one's name.
"What is your name again?" The person's name never changed, so perhaps this could be acceptable?

"What we did yesterday was illegal." One would say after commiting a crime which is still illegal to this day.
"What we did yesterday is illegal." Could this be acceptable in English?
 

emsr2d2

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English Teacher
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British English
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UK
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I would like to know whether or not it is possible to use "is" instead of "was" when talking about a situation in the past which is still in effect now?

"What was your name again?" One would ask this after forgetting someone's name.
"What is your name again?" The person's name never changed, so perhaps this could be acceptable.
Yes, it's acceptable. Most native speakers would contract it to "What's your name again?"

"What we did yesterday was illegal." One would say this after committing a crime [STRIKE]which[/STRIKE] that is still illegal to this day.
"What we did yesterday is illegal." Could this be acceptable in English?
It's more than acceptable. It's more likely than "was illegal".

See above.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
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Nov 13, 2002
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British English
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UK
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Japan
He said his name was Tom. :tick:
He said his name is Tom. :tick:
 
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