[Grammar] Yes, it was/is very impressive.

[kadioguy]

[The conversation was adapted by me from a question of the New Toeic test]

(In an office)

Tom: You've seen the new company letterhead, haven't you?
Mary:
a. Yes, it was very impressive.
b. Yes, it is very impressive.

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Should I use (a) or (b)?

My thoughts:
The experience is in the past, so (a). However, the letterhead still exists, so (b).

What do you think?
------
(The source)

 

[jutfrank]

Should I use (a) or (b)?

My thoughts:
The experience is in the past, so (a). However, the letterhead still exists, so (b).

What do you think?

I think you should use whichever one you mean.

 

[kadioguy]

I think you should use whichever one you mean.

Do you mean:

I can use either - if I want to focus on the fact that the experience is in the past, then choose (a); if I want to focus on the letterhead's current existence, then choose (b).

Is that correct?

 

[emsr2d2]

If you expand the response a little, you will see why both are possible.

A: Did you see the new letterhead?
B1: Yes, I think it is (it's) very impressive.
B2: Yes, I thought it was very impressive.

 

[jutfrank]

Do you mean:

I can use either - if I want to focus on the fact that the experience is in the past, then choose (a); if I want to focus on the letterhead's current existence, then choose (b).

Is that correct?

Think about what the man means. Do you think he's thinking about the letterhead's current existence? Or do you think he's more interested in your past experience?