Verbs: myhomeworkdone Past Tense? Present? by Melanie Dawson & Joe Essid (printable version right here)
General Advice
You will want to keep the verbs you use in the same tense when you write an essay, an exam answer, or even a short story. Keep in mind, moving from tense to tense can be quite confusing.
eg. Mrs. Mallory views her returning son and, in her excitement, twisted her ankle rather defectively. Her sis calls the doctor immediately.
In this instance, the verb „twisted“ may be the only verb that seems in past times tense. It must come in the present tense, „twists,“ or perhaps the other verbs should really be changed to your past tense also. Switching verb tenses upsets the right time series of narration.
„The Literary Present“
You should make use of „the literary present. once you quote straight from the text or allude towards the occasions in a tale (as in a quick plot summary),“ We write on written works just as if the activities inside them are taking place now, although the authors might be very long dead. Quoting an essay, you’d compose,
eg. Annie Dillard had written Pilgrim at Tinker Creek whenever she lived in Virginia’s hills. The revelation of a dancer who for my eyes only flings away her seven veils“ (17) in the book’s chapter, „Seeing,“ Annie Dillard contends that „vision. is a deliberate gift.
Right right Here, both „wrote“ and „lived“ have been in the last tense because they make reference to Dillard’s life, maybe not her writings. „Contends,“ nonetheless, seems in a declaration about Dillard’s writing, so it’s into the tense that is present.
You will also want to use the present tense when you write about fiction.
eg. At the conclusion of Of Mice and guys, Lennie views a rabbit that is enormous chastises him, making him think about George.
eg. Mrs. Mallard, in “ the whole story of an hour or so,“ whispers „‚free, free, free!'“ after learning of her spouse’s expected death.
The aforementioned examples certainly are a plot summary and an immediate quotation, both of designed to use the literary present. It is possible to make every effort to talk about literary works within the tense that is present you will be presently reading or considering it. Each time you available guide it appears as if the events are currently occurring; each time you read an essay it really is as if you might be presently talking with the author.
Non-English Documents
These rules will not necessarily apply if you are writing a paper in another subject, notably the sciences and social sciences. Consult with your teacher for recommendations in your course.
The events you are writing about took place in the past, and therefore you should use the past tense throughout your paper in history classes, for example. But, if you should be citing articles into the paper, while you probably should, then you definitely should consult with your professor to see if she or he would rather that you apply the literary present or perhaps the past tense whenever talking about these articles.