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He was/is a former CTO...
Guest
1
2009/04/13 - 12:12pm

I'm sure there's a standard rule for this one, but I can't seem to find it.

He's a "former CTO" for his whole life, correct? So the correct sentence would be "he IS a former CTO"?

-dave b

Grant Barrett
San Diego, California
1532 Posts
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2
2009/04/13 - 3:17pm

Your question is about "is a former CTO" versus "was a former CTO," right? The "is" version is the correct one.

He is always a former CTO unless he takes the title again.

Guest
3
2009/04/13 - 10:06pm

If the adjective former is removed from the sentence, you could say the same thing with, "He was a CTO." It's interesting to think about why you might choose one form over another.

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