Only he knew the way out.

[99bottles]

Only he knows/knew the way out of the maze.

Context: The aforementioned person's whereabouts are unknown. We don't even know whether he's alive anymore. But it is still the case that nobody else knows the way out of the maze. So, do we use the present or the past tense?

 

[5jj]

As we have no evidence that 'he' is dead, then the present tense seems to more appropriate.

 

[99bottles]

As we have no evidence that 'he' is dead, then the present tense seems to more appropriate.

Thanks. Just curious: If he was dead, could we use the simple past without making it unclear whether no one else knows the way nowadays?

 

[5jj]

If he was dead, could we use the simple past without making it unclear whether no one else knows the way nowadays?

There are too many negatives there for me to be sure about what you are asking.

 

[99bottles]

There are too many negatives there for me to be sure about what you are asking.

If he was dead, what would your answer to the OP's question be?

 

[5jj]

Only he knew the way out of the maze.

 

[99bottles]

Only he knew the way out of the maze.

And doesn't that make it confusing? I mean, doesn't it sound as if, nowadays, other people than him know the way?

 

[5jj]

No.