Is glad or was glad

[Ju]

Luke stole the watch in the shop but I was glad the cashier didn't call the police.

Can I replace 'is' for 'was' since I am still glad for it?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

You can. I would use "from the shop". You can't really steal something in a shop - you have to leave the shop without paying before it's considered stealing.

 

[Rover_KE]

Can I replace 'is' for 'was' since I am still glad for it?

No, you can't, but you can say 'am' instead of 'was'.

 

[Ju]

No, you can't, but you can say 'am' instead of 'was'.

1. That means both am and was are right for this sentence, am I right?

2. If yes, what are the differences the meanings imply between the two usages?

Thanks.

 

[Tdol]

Yes

Not that much. You could say that the present implies that the person is still grateful, but you could not assume that the past means that they no longer are. The present may shift the balance, but it doesn't change everything.

 

[Ju]

Yes

Not that much. You could say that the present implies that the person is still grateful, but you could not assume that the past means that they no longer are. The present may shift the balance, but it doesn't change everything.

Hi Tdol,

I'm sorry. I don't get what you meant by saying "The present may shift the balance, but it doesn't change everything."

Thanks.

 

[tedmc]

Hi Tdol,

I'm sorry. I don't get what you meant by saying "The present may shift the balance, but it doesn't change everything."

Thanks.

It means mixing the past tense with the present tense (I am) does not make much difference. Using "I was" does not mean one is not glad now.