Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to organize; to settle; to structure; to order; to systematize
rent
refund
surprise
arrange
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
divergent vs dissimilar | Question: I've heard the concert was a hit, but there weren't too many people...
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #1 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:14 am   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

Hello,

I want to say something like this:

Quote:
The results of the study led the researchers to conclude that the type of treatment administered is suitable for the group.


My issue is with the word "is". Should it be "was"?

1) Please answer the question and tell me the reasoning behind your answer.
2) If you could point me to authoritative reference material on the internet that speak particularly about this issue, I would appreciate it.
Blackwhite
New Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 2

Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #2 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:19 pm   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

You can alternatively use the present tense in this type of context if it regards a fact that is still true or always true.

"They saw that water boils at 212 degrees." (It always boils at 212 degrees, not only at the time they saw it.)
"We discovered that this plant is edible." (It's always edible, not just at the time we discovered the fact.)

Any complete textbook or reference book on English grammar will contain this information. A book I have at hand is Grammar Dimensions 4 (4th edition) by Stephen H. Thewlis. It lists several situations in which the verb in the reported speech can remain in the present tense:

-- things that are always true
-- things that are still true
-- hypothetical statements
-- statements that were made only a very short time ago
-- future events that have not yet occurred
-- casual statements using direct quotation
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

In this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!How many different ways with words do you know? Subscribe to free email English course
Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #3 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:44 pm   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

Jamie,

Is there any difference between the following two statements? Are they both correct?

1) John said he'll send the documents tomorrow
2) John said he'd send the documents tomorrow
_________________
Non-native speaker of English
=================================
I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
Daemon99
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 841

Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #4 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 14:15 pm   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

Jamie,
What if I don't know whether the researchers still hold that belief to be still true?
Blackwhite
New Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 2

Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #5 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 14:53 pm   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

daemon99 wrote:
Is there any difference between the following two statements? Are they both correct?

1) John said he'll send the documents tomorrow
2) John said he'd send the documents tomorrow

There's no difference, and they're both correct.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence #6 (permalink) Wed Jun 25, 2008 14:56 pm   Mixed Tenses (past and present) in one sentence
 

blackwhite wrote:
What if I don't know whether the researchers still hold that belief to be still true?

Then I'd use the past tense.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Display posts from previous:   
divergent vs dissimilar | Question: I've heard the concert was a hit, but there weren't too many people...
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Do/Does each of you ...?Correct the sentence: I am working as a Busines Analyst in Business planning...the features of adjectives used in imperatives with 'BE'Sentences I never heard before: Don't Make The Sense God Gave A Mule.Why do you use the past tense to describe the subjunctive mood?get something done vs have done somethingwhat does "volume share" mean?by vs. besideConstruction "ain't history"was/were (Them looking after the kids was/were a great help.)that's whatis what it istoo much value added?

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail