Yesterday I was in a party ...

[subhajit123]

Hi there, could anyone please correct my writing? Actually I am facing a problem deciding the correct tense in the context?

• Yesterday I was in a party where I met an old man. I thought he was just an ordinary man. I didn't know he is/was a nuclear scientist. later I talked to her and we became friends.

Note that the older is alive and he is still a nuclear scientist.

 

[jutfrank]

Re: Yesterday I was in a...

The past tense was is better in this case because your story is set in the past.

Plus, you've already used was in I thought he was an ordinary man., so it would be odd to change tense after that.

 

[Raymott]

Re: Yesterday I was in a...

You can always back shift in these cases.

 

[Tdol]

Re: Yesterday I was in a...

I would use I was in a party for membership of a political party, etc.

 

[bubbha]

Yesterday I was in a party where I met an old man. I thought he was just an ordinary man. I didn't know he is/was a nuclear scientist. later I talked to her and we became friends.

Who is the mysterious woman you suddenly started talking about without introduction?

 

[subhajit123]

Who is the mysterious woman you suddenly started talking about without introduction?

Sorry, I didn't notice it. It should have been "him".