 there are/were two persons understanding Confucius.
There is a professor who understands Confucius.
He is alive.
There was another man three hundred years ago who undestood Confucius. He is dead.
so:
there are/were two persons understanding Confucius.
which verb should be used?
( the sentence structure 'he is ..., so was...' I find it impossible to use) |