Present tense for a past action?
I am quite confused because of a simple thing, actually. Suddenly, this thought struck me. I am still doubtful about which tense to use, the present or past tense. Here is an example:
1. The speech he just delivered IS confusing.
2. The speech he just delivered WAS confusing.
Which one should I use actually?
grammar tenses
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
add a comment |
I am quite confused because of a simple thing, actually. Suddenly, this thought struck me. I am still doubtful about which tense to use, the present or past tense. Here is an example:
1. The speech he just delivered IS confusing.
2. The speech he just delivered WAS confusing.
Which one should I use actually?
grammar tenses
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago
add a comment |
I am quite confused because of a simple thing, actually. Suddenly, this thought struck me. I am still doubtful about which tense to use, the present or past tense. Here is an example:
1. The speech he just delivered IS confusing.
2. The speech he just delivered WAS confusing.
Which one should I use actually?
grammar tenses
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
I am quite confused because of a simple thing, actually. Suddenly, this thought struck me. I am still doubtful about which tense to use, the present or past tense. Here is an example:
1. The speech he just delivered IS confusing.
2. The speech he just delivered WAS confusing.
Which one should I use actually?
grammar tenses
grammar tenses
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
asked 56 mins ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
13
13
Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago
add a comment |
Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago
Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago
add a comment |
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Depends on what you mean. If the speech WAS confusing at one point but it is no longer confusing, use WAS. If the speech is still confusing at the time of making the statement, use IS.
– d.b
45 mins ago
Nice. So, it is just like I thought. Thanks a lot, d.b., for the fast response :)
– Fadli Sheikh
44 mins ago
@d.b - although you can do that, "The speech he just delivered confuses me" is probably better than the present progressive, unless you are trying to emphasize that the speech somehow echoes in your head -- the completed speech doesn't normally continue any 'action'.
– AmI
33 mins ago