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is dead vs was dead

Both "is dead" and "was dead" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Is dead" is used to describe a current state of being deceased, while "was dead" is used to describe a past state of being deceased.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 675 views

is dead

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a current state of being deceased.

Use "is dead" to describe someone or something that is currently deceased. It indicates the present state of being dead.

Examples:

  • The cat is dead.
  • He is dead to me.
  • The flowers are dead.
  • The patient is dead.
  • The battery is dead.
  • "Paul is dead" is an urban legend and conspiracy theory suggesting that Paul McCartney of the English rock band the Beatles died in 1966 and was secretly ...
  • God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all ...
  • 13 hours ago ... Marketing is dead, says Saatchi & Saatchi boss – long live lovemarks. Agency kingpin Kevin Roberts says future is all about creating a ...
  • 1 day ago ... He notably says that the entire Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album was awash with Paul-is-dead clues: the Beatles had indeed ...

Alternatives:

  • has passed away
  • has departed
  • has left us
  • has gone
  • has crossed over

was dead

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a past state of being deceased.

Use "was dead" to describe someone or something that was deceased in the past. It indicates the past state of being dead.

Examples:

  • When I found him, he was already dead.
  • She was dead for several hours before they discovered her body.
  • The plant was dead when I returned from vacation.
  • The patient was dead on arrival at the hospital.
  • The battery was dead after being left unused for months.
  • May 26, 2013 ... I asked the OP in the comment whether the cat was dead at that time: I assume his cat was dead, can you confirm this? But a friend of mine later ...
  • No one knew mummified woman was dead 5 years. Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press 10:42 a.m. EST March 3, 2015. 635609118896327094-030215pia- ...
  • The article described a rumour that had been circulating on campus that Paul was dead. At that point the rumour included numerous clues from recent Beatles  ...
  • May 29, 2013 ... If you were at all familiar with Thomas' other work, the immediacy of Was Dead probably came as a surprise. But this was the album he'd been ...

Alternatives:

  • had passed away
  • had departed
  • had left us
  • had gone
  • had crossed over

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