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TomJ Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Grammar: Confused with a sentence in 'present simple tense'

Hello teachers, 

I've read that 'present simple' can be used when narrating or telling a story; when telling somebody about a series of events in the past. For example, 'He goes to a cafe, he sits down and puts his cell phone on the table.'

Teachers, I'd like to ask you if this sentence could have a present meaning. Can't it have a present meaning?

Thank you all. 
  

Top answer

TomJ Teachers, I'd like to ask you if this sentence could have a present meaning. Can't it have a present meaning? Yes, it can, and that is its value: it is called the 'narrative present' or the 'historical present'.

— Mister Micawber

  • TomJ Teachers, I'd like to ask you if this sentence could have a present meaning.
  • Can't it have a present meaning?
  • Yes, it can, and that is its value: it is called the 'narrative present' or the 'historical present'.
  • But of course we know that the story is still in the past, because we do not narrate as something happens now; we tell the story of what happened.
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7 Answers
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TomJTeachers, I'd like to ask you if this sentence could have a present meaning. Can't it have a present meaning?
Yes, it can, and that is its value: it is called the 'narrative present' or the 'historical present'. But of course we know that the story is still in the past, because we do not narrate as something happens now; we tell the story of what happened
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Yes, when it describes a person's routine or habits.
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Thank you, Mister Micawber, for replying. Doesn't it - He goes to a cafe, he sits down and puts his cell phone on the table. - sounds like he does these things on regular basis; repeatedly? Doesn't it confuses our listener?
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TomJsounds like he does these things on regular basis; repeatedly? Doesn't it confuses our listener?
No; no one would expect a person to put his cellphone on the table repeatedly. Anyway, why would it be confusing? It is within a tale being told.
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IvanhrYes, when it describes a person's routine or habits.
OK. So, if we use present simple the way I've done, it could mean either the speaker is talking about the present or he/she is talking about the past, narrating or telling a story of what happened in the past.

Thanks a lot to you, too, Ivanhr!
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Mister MicawberIt is within a tale being told.
Mister Micawber, do you mean that whenever it (a sentence in present simple) is in a tale, it is always about the past?

Thank you. 
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TomJwhenever it (a sentence in present simple) is in a tale, it is always about the past
Yes. The tale is done before it is narrated.
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