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FumbleFingers
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1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing1
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really usestart #1 with thatThat is..., in #1, but you could usestart #2 with thisThis was... in #2 - so long as someif preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.


1 Sometimes you might use Present Perfect like this if you've very recently finished doing something. For example, you might say #1 to the maitre d' as you leave a restaurant, after having eaten sushi there. As ever, Present Perfect simply implies a very strong connection to "time of utterance", so that scenario is "close enough".

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing1
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really use that in #1, but you could use this in #2 - so long as some preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.


1 Sometimes you might use Present Perfect like this if you've very recently finished doing something. For example, you might say #1 to the maitre d' as you leave a restaurant, after having eaten sushi there. As ever, Present Perfect simply implies a very strong connection to "time of utterance", so that scenario is "close enough".

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing1
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really start #1 with That is..., but you could start #2 with This was... if preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.


1 Sometimes you might use Present Perfect like this if you've very recently finished doing something. For example, you might say #1 to the maitre d' as you leave a restaurant, after having eaten sushi there. As ever, Present Perfect simply implies a very strong connection to "time of utterance", so that scenario is "close enough".

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FumbleFingers
  • 74.6k
  • 4
  • 102
  • 204

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing1
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really use that in #1, but you could use this in #2 - so long as some preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.


1 Sometimes you might use Present Perfect like this if you've very recently finished doing something. For example, you might say #1 to the maitre d' as you leave a restaurant, after having eaten sushi there. As ever, Present Perfect simply implies a very strong connection to "time of utterance", so that scenario is "close enough".

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really use that in #1, but you could use this in #2 - so long as some preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing1
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really use that in #1, but you could use this in #2 - so long as some preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.


1 Sometimes you might use Present Perfect like this if you've very recently finished doing something. For example, you might say #1 to the maitre d' as you leave a restaurant, after having eaten sushi there. As ever, Present Perfect simply implies a very strong connection to "time of utterance", so that scenario is "close enough".

Source Link
FumbleFingers
  • 74.6k
  • 4
  • 102
  • 204

1: This is the first time I have ever done something that I am still doing
2: That was the first time I had ever done something (no 'still doing' implications)

You can't really use that in #1, but you could use this in #2 - so long as some preceding text has established the sushi-eating occasion as a "current narrative topic / focus".

Equally, you can't use the combination of verb tenses This is ... I had in #1, but you could use That was ... I have in #2. The second verb form is really just a stylistic choice reflecting whether the speaker is more interested in talking about his past or present circumstances.