that’s what he did/that was what he did

[diamondcutter]

The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
That’s what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car.

Source: https://viralgfjokes.com/pastor-had-a-kitten/

I’d like to know if “that’s what he did” should be “that was what he did” because “was” doesn’t have a contracted form.

 

[emsr2d2]

If it were written out in full, it would be "That is what he did".

 

[diamondcutter]

Hi, Emsr2d2.

If it were written out in full, it would be "That is what he did". But that's not correct. The author should say "That was what he did" in that context. Am I right?

 

[emsr2d2]

Because "what he did" is a permanent fact. It can't be changed so it is still a fact.

That is (today) what he did (in the past).

"That's" is used before all different tenses, and it means "That is" each time.

That's what I was doing. (simple past continuous)
That's where I'll be next Wednesday. (future voice)
That's why he fixed my car. (simple past)
That's who I want to be in the future. (present simple)
That's what I said. (simple past)
That's what I'll be studying next year. (future continuous)
That's what she's done every day this month. (present perfect)

 

[Tdol]

Hi, Emsr2d2.

If it were written out in full, it would be "That is what he did". But that's not correct. The author should say "That was what he did" in that context. Am I right?

You can mix tenses in narratives, so the present works here:

I was on the train this morning and this guy got on and tells us that he's got a gun....