0
Lutfi Lukman Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

had/have in narrative voice

It's a narration/story/journal. So this person is talking about her experience that happened a few years ago.

Upon examination, the doctor found that I had lung cancer.
Upon examination, the doctor found that I have lung cancer.
Upon examination, the doctor found that I was having lung cancer.
Upon examination, the doctor found that I am having lung cancer.

Which of these are correct, and which one is the best?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

the first choice is the best sentece, i guess reason : you had lung cancer long time before the day that you checked out in the hospital. just my 2 cents , hope you like it

— Varhanitrate

  • the first choice is the best sentece, i guess reason : you had lung cancer long time before the day that you checked out in the hospital.
  • just my 2 cents , hope you like it
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
the first choice is the best sentece, i guess
reason : you had lung cancer long time before the day that you checked out in the hospital. just my 2 cents , hope you like it
0
0
The first two read correctly; which is best depends on the context. It depends whether your narrator is emphasising their memories of the moment of diagnosis (in which case I prefer the first one), or the fact they have cancer (in which case I'd choose the second one).

Also, the first one retains the possibility that the narrator is now in remission or recovered, while the second offers
0
0
How about this?
(In a narrative voice)
The doctor said that there is a tumour inside me.
The doctor said that there was a tumour inside me.

Based on your suggestion, then I guess the second one is better?
0
0
Lutfi Lukman It's a narration/story/journal. So this person is talking about her experience that happened a few years ago.Upon examination, the doctor found that I had lung cancer.Upon examination, the doctor found that I have lung cancer.Upon examination, the doctor found that I was having lung cancer.Upon examination, the doctor found that I am having lung cancer.Which
0
0
Lutfi LukmanBut the first sentence sounds like during the diagnosis, the doctor found that I had a cancer before coming for the diagnosis, but during the diagnosis, the cancer is not there anymore.
No. That's not the meaning of Upon examination the doctor found that I had lung cancer.

To express the thought that I had cancer before coming for
0
0
Wow, that explains a lot! Like I have received a revelation of some kind. Emotion: big smile

You're the English world's superhero, CJ!
0
0
Lutfi LukmanLike I have received a revelation of some kind.
Revelations are good. Emotion: wink

CJ
0
0
Please use capital letters for the first letter of a sentence and for the pronoun I. Also end your sentences with appropriate punctuation marks.
0

Related Questions