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He was not well-paid. He cannot keep his family in comfort.

In the second sentence, can we use the simple present?

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anonymous

He was not well-paid. He cannot keep his family in comfort.

In the second sentence, can we use the simple present?

That doesn't seem like a very good idea to me. Matching tenses is usually a better idea.

He is not well-paid, so he cannot keep his family in comfort.
He was not well-paid, so he could not keep his family in comfort.

CJ

Comments  
anonymousIn the second sentence, can we use the simple present?

You tell me. What are you trying to say? It's possible, I guess, but I have to extend myself to invent a context.

 CalifJim's reply was promoted to an answer.