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he is a boy vs he was a boy

The phrases are both acceptable, but they would be used in distinct contexts. 'He is a boy' is used to describe someone's current state or identity, while 'He was a boy' is used to talk about someone's past state or identity.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: November 08, 2024 • 12255 views

he is a boy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone's current state or identity.

Use 'he is a boy' to state that someone is currently a boy. This phrase is used in the present tense.

Examples:

He is a boy who loves playing soccer.
She is a girl, and he is a boy.
Is he a boy or a man?
Yes, he is a boy.
He is a boy with a great sense of humor.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 16, 2024

Jan 21, 2023 ... Which is correct, "he is the boy" or "he is a boy"? All related (35).
Sep 2, 2024 ... We found out he is a boy after 3 months . Feels so weird switching pronouns.
Jun 24, 2022 ... 10K likes, 417 comments - madison.cheeatow on June 24, 2022: "#3 has arrived He is a boy and his name is Arie. Mixed reviews so far from ...
Aug 29, 2024 ... When Mahiro forgot he is a boy. Meme. r/OniichanOshimai - When Mahiro forgot he is a boy. Upvote
We think he might be a boy. We think probably he is a boy. He holds out the chest of his t-shirt and says to David, “I don't want to ...
Jun 17, 2024 ... What if I tell you he is a boy. Discussion. r/Cookierun - PEACH BLOSSOM ...
In: Kids. 4 Minute Read. By Melissa Roy. Share. He May Have Long Hair, But Yes—He Is a Boy www.herviewfromhome. “What you got in there?
Apr 7, 2011 ... A three-year old boy may understand that he is a boy, but not necessarily have internalized that he is always a boy and will remain male forever ...
Feb 29, 2020 ... Fam jam... (And He is a boy - Youvaan)
Mar 1, 2023 ... I think your reinforcement of reality is the key. He will keep hearing from you that he is a boy, and that it's so good and really a gift.

Alternatives:

He is a young boy.
He is a little boy.
He is a teenage boy.
He is a boy at heart.
He is a boy in the neighborhood.

he was a boy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about someone's past state or identity.

Use 'he was a boy' to refer to someone's identity or state in the past. This phrase is used in the past tense.

Examples:

He was a boy when he first moved to the city.
She said he was a boy with a lot of potential.
He was a boy who loved adventure.
When he was a boy, he dreamed of becoming a pilot.
I remember he was a boy who always helped others.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 16, 2024

Aug 8, 2024 ... He was a boy, she was a girl [OC]. r/Beastars - He was a boy, she was a girl [OC]. 439 upvotes · 25 comments. r/BocchiTheRock icon. r ...
Jul 27, 2005 ... What do you think Jesus was like when He was a boy? Was He like other boys, running and playing and so forth? And do you think He knew He ...
Nov 3, 2018 ... Was watching “Full Metal Jacket” and discovered Fisk, when he was a boy. r/Daredevil - did that on purpose ...
Sk8er Boi Lyrics: He was a boy, she was a girl / Can I make it any more obvious? / He was a punk, she did ballet / What more can I say?
Aug 9, 2013 ... Noodle (why yes, he was a boy) in a tutu. Bobbi in a box. Bobbi in flowers. Noodle (why yes, he was a boy) in a tutu also Canada day 2012. Bobbi in a saddle.
Jan 28, 2022 ... 406 likes, 24 comments - ronniehiii on January 28, 2022: "He was a boy, she was a girl. Can I make it anymore obvious?
Aug 1, 2024 ... When Avril Lavigne sang “he was a boy, she was a girl, can I make it any more obvious?” that was honestly kinda rude because if you think ...
Jun 30, 2018 ... Photo by Malaika Handa in The Tillary Hotel Brooklyn. 41 likes malihanda he was a boy / she was a girl / can i make it any more obvious
Sep 24, 2024 ... He was a Boy Scout even though he disliked sleeping in a tent. He spent many summers at his grandparent's beach house in the jersey shore ...
Apr 30, 2020 ... “He was a boy, she was a girl, can I make it any more obvious?” At the time, I was exploring my own gender fluidity and was on the cusp of ...

Alternatives:

He used to be a boy.
He was once a boy.
He was a young boy back then.
He was a boy in his childhood.
He was a boy at that time.

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