A huge argument in the office over past simple vs present perfect vs present simple

Question

Dear All,I and my co-workers are having a huge discussion (being on the verge of a serious argument ;&gt; ) over one issue... We are preparing a Letter of Acceptance in which we want to state that company ABC has been awarded as the winning bidder. We've just had a huge brainstorm. I'm trying to force my argument that the present perfect tense should be used but one of my co-workers thinks it'd more suitable to use the past simple... yet another one wants to use the present simple in the passive form.The following proposals have been made:(We would like to inform you) You have been awarded as the winning bidder.(We would like to inform you) You were awarded as the winning bidder.(We would like to inform you) You are awarded as the winning bidder.In my humble opinion, if we want to focus on the consequence, that is the fact that ABC has been chosen as the winning bidder, then we should use the present perfect. Yet,  my co-worker claims that we should use the past simple as the decision was made in the past.I'd be much obliged if you could help me out. Support or contradict any of the above.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Sorry, all 3 are wrong, because the word 'awarded' is used incorrectly.

Here are some correct sentences for you to consider.
eg You have been awarded the contract.
eg You have been selected as the successful bidder.
eg You are the winning bidder.
eg Your bid has been successful.

Clive

Perfect Stranger · Answer

OK, thanks Clive. Let's just set aside the vocabulary for a second and foucs merely on grammar... Which tense should be used?

Clive · Answer

It's not just a matter of vocabulary. It's also a matter of correct syntax. You don't award somebody as something.

The correct tenses are shown in my 4 examples. Which one do you want to say?

If you want to use the verb 'award', choose #1.
Present Perfect shows that the action of awarding occurred in the past but is important to the present situation.

Clive

Perfect Stranger · Answer

CliveIt's not just a matter of vocabulary. It's also a matter of correct syntax. You don't award somebody as something.

yes, hard to disagree on this point with you

yet, the thing is that in the argument we had one hour ago in the office, I stood ground and supported my choice of the present perfect tense as the only one that focuses on the relevance of a past action in the present... but my co-worker pointed out what follows:

We should use the past simple as the decision was made in the past.

that's why I'm just slightly confused here... however, I see it the way you see it Clive:

Cliveresent Perfect shows that the action of awarding occurred in the past but is important to the present situation.

Clive · Answer

Your co-worker does not seem to understand the Present Perfect tense.

Clive

Perfect Stranger · Answer

CliveYour co-worker does not seem to understand the Present Perfect tense.

LOL

Haha

Clive, how would the meaning change if I said: You are awarded a contract.

Clive · Answer

That's OK, but Present Perfect sounds better. .

a contract suggests some previously unspecified contract.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Perfect StrangerThe following proposals have been made:(We would like to inform you) You have been awarded as the winning bidder.(We would like to inform you) You were awarded as the winning bidder.(We would like to inform you) You are awarded as the winning bidder.

Only the present perfect makes sense to me. I would write this:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded the contract (to/for ...).

You'll need to fill in the details at the end.

CJ

A huge argument in the office over past simple vs present perfect vs present simple

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