Future tense in a past tense situation

[Cgk]

Hello,

I often don't know which tense to use (in story-writing). Most novels are written in simple past, but there are situations where the tense changes. That's when I get confused. I search for the answer in grammar books, but they never really give me an example of the same exact sentence structure. Could someone tell me which one is right along with an explanation, so that I know for the future?

1.

Perhaps it was not a good idea to tell her that. Jane might have just deemed him a complete and utter idiot if he did. But he was here now; there was no going back.

or

Perhaps it was not a good idea to tell her that. Jane might just deem him a complete and utter idiot if he did. But he was here now; there was no going back.

2.

Is this correct?

Their racket carried far across the sea, and her prey might be warned by these fools just because they couldn't hold their tongues.

3.

Tense of an analogy:

Jim grew weary of his cousin's constant nagging. Did John not realize that he might as well have tried to sail a cog against the wind?

or

Jim grew weary of his cousin's constant nagging. Did John not realize that he might as well try to sail a cog against the wind?

I know "might" is in itself the past tense of "may", but I'm just never sure if its okay to have it followed by future tense in a past tense situation (like in a novel).

Its a bit much, but I'm thankful for any help I can get.

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript and Adobe Flash for view MP3 player

15 views

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

You raise an interesting topic about the use of tenses in narrative. In this type of writing the so called sequences of tenses doesn't always apply because of the very nature of the relationship between the writer and the reader. There are times when the reader is invited, as it were, into the world of the story and being asked to take part in the narration. Let me give an example of how this works. Sometimes you are reading a story which has mainly been related in the past tense and then suddenly reverts to the present tense (often called the historic present). The purpose is to make the action more immediate and almost to enlist the support of the reader as if the writer is saying: Do you see what's happening now?

In your examples I'd like to pick on the choice between 'might as well have tried' and 'might as well try'. The first one simply states the fact of the comparison and you the reader are distanced from the comment. The second one draws you in because it's as if the writer is saying: Do you see what I mean/what I'm talking about?

As you can see, I have avoided referring to the examples as correct or incorrect because they are instances of different styles. Putting it simply I would say that in narrative the story teller is simply describing events by using the past tenses but any use of tense that brings the action closer involves the reader to a greater extent.

Just my thoughts.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story 'the' vs. 'a/an'

[Cgk]

Hello Alan,

thank you so much for your quick and thorough reply!

The way I understand your answer is that I can use either "might have just deemed" or "might just deem" and "might as well have tried" or "might as well try". They are all grammatically correct, but they create different feelings in the reader.

I assume, then, that it would be better to write "might just deem" and "might as well try" because it lets the reader in (which, in my opinion, should be an author's goal) instead of just telling the reader and make him or her feel distanced.

How about the sentence:

Their racket carried far across the sea, and her prey might be warned by these fools just because they couldn't hold their tongues.

Is it all right to change tenses in this sentence? "Might have been warned" changes the meaning, imo.

I'm always afraid that an editor might flag things like that.

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript and Adobe Flash for view MP3 player

4 views

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

I think the same comments that I made about the other sentences would apply. It's the same idea of whether you want the 'warning' to be immediate/inclusive or remote.

Incidentally may I ask your interest in these points of language? Clearly you have no problem in using the language. This isn't an inquisition but it's always interesting to know a little more about our contributors.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Read the Signs...

[Cgk]

Hi,

yes, you may.

I'm currently working on a novel. I'm German, but I used to live in the USA. I love the English language and I believe I am more creative in English than in German, lol. Unfortunately, I often get stuck in my writing due to grammar problems. Especially the tenses give me headaches.

I'm not sure if I can actually get into the market, considering that I'm residing in Germany and don't have anyone to read over the chapters (I don't really know anyone who speaks English fluently). It will be difficult and I imagine that editors/publishers want perfect manuscripts. But it is fun nonetheless!

Claudia

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript and Adobe Flash for view MP3 player

5 views

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi Claudia,

I certainly wish you the best of luck and in any way I can help you with language problems, please let me know. I'm not offering to be a proofreader, I hasten to add but I relish trying to explain the minutiae of English and when I was at Oxford I took my first degree in German. Needless to say, that was a long,long time ago.

Best wishes,

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Womens' Day

[Cgk]

Hi Alan,

thank you so much.

Proofreading a manuscript is a lot of work, and I don't expect anyone to do that, lol. But it is good (and extremely helpful) to know that I have someone to turn to with my questions. You say you relish the minutiae of English. I believe I have plenty of those!

Vielen Dank und freundliche Grüße,

Claudia

[Peter4]

Yes, your class online is really interesting, and you don't know how I appreciate your job.
Your explaination oboutthe English grammar really helps me to improve my English grammar.
Good job professor!!