he was a man who was vs he was a man who is

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He was a man who was' is used when referring to a past event or situation, while 'He was a man who is' is used when describing a person in the past who still possesses certain qualities or characteristics in the present.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 926 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past event or situation.

"he was a man who was"

This phrase is used to describe a person in the past who had certain qualities or characteristics at that time.

Examples:

He was a man who was always kind to everyone.
She was a woman who was deeply passionate about her work.

Show examples from the web [+]

13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, ...
Oct 1, 2015 ... We might say he was a man who was a son of Abraham who led the people but was not typical of them. In “The Man Moses,” Peter Machinist ...
Although Pablo Escobar was notorious for drug dealing and being a delinquent, he was a man who was intelligent, charismatic and protective of his people.
Aug 24, 2004 ... He was a man who was consulted for guidance regarding the future. Very often, then as now, the diviner would predict the future based upon ...

Alternatives:

He was a man who had been
He was a man who used to be
He was a man who once was
He was a man who had

This phrase is correct and commonly used when describing a person in the past who still possesses certain qualities or characteristics in the present.

"he was a man who is"

This phrase is used to highlight that despite being in the past, the person still has certain qualities or characteristics.

Examples:

He was a man who is always punctual.
She was a woman who is a great leader.

Show examples from the web [+]

... when A'as ibn Wa'il as-Sahmi said of Muhammad that he was "a man who is cut off and is of no consequence, and if he were killed, he would be forgotten".
Jul 5, 2015 ... ... when they need you. You can disagree, but always love them. "He was a man who is sincerely loved and sorely missed by family and friends.
Mar 19, 2015 ... ... chapel services; it was a thread that ran through every part of who he was. A man who is tuned into the eternal can make most things sacred, ...
So he was a man who is very familiar with the word of God. He knew his Bible well enough to recognize in Jesus the signs of someone special from God.

Alternatives:

He was a man who remains
He was a man who continues to be
He was a man who still is
He was a man who even now is

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he was a man who was vs he was a man who is