as though he is/was

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Tan Elaine

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Joined
Jun 29, 2008
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Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Hong Kong
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Hong Kong
The salesman talks as though he was/is the proprietor of the shop.

I think I should use 'was' as he is not the proprietor of the shop. Am I correct?

Thanks.
 
*Not a teacher

Yes, you are right. But I would use were.

The salesman talks as though he were the proprietor of the shop.
 
Because he has given only references?

He doesn't indicate that in any of his posts, even when he provides confusing or erroneous information. But okay.
 
*Not a teacher

Yes, you are right. But I would use were.

The salesman talks as though he were the proprietor of the shop.

The salesman talks as though he was the proprietor of the shop.

I believe 'was', the verb I use in the above sentence in my first post of this thread, is not incorrect in informal English, especially in conversation. Am I correct?

Thanks.
 
I believe 'was', the verb I use in the above sentence in my first post of this thread, is not incorrect in informal English, especially in conversation. Am I correct?
Yes
 
Is there a reason you choose not to indicate that you're not a teacher?
The member type in his profile (at the top of every post) reads: "Student or Learner". This is usually a give away.
 
The member type in his profile (at the top of every post) reads: "Student or Learner". This is usually a give away.
Hi Raymott

You are correct. However, one of the rules states:

If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.
 
Hi Raymott

You are correct. However, one of the rules states:

If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.

Personally, I feel it'd be more useful (mostly because users state they're not teachers selectively, if it all anyway) if the member type indication was made more prominent and you didn't have to repeat each time you're not a teacher.
 
Personally, I feel it'd be more useful (mostly because users state they're not teachers selectively, if it all anyway) if the member type indication was made more prominent and you didn't have to repeat each time you're not a teacher.
I agree.
 
Is there a reason you choose not to indicate that you're not a teacher?

Is there a reason you chose not to show you are aware that you are being deliberately impolite towards someone who devotes his time and make efforts to help others to the best of his knowledge?
If you open your eyes, you will realize that sunsunmoon's member status (student or learner) is already indicated in his profile, in the upper right corner of each of his message boxes. Is there a reason you chose to pretend to be blind?
 
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