Know in past tense

Question

I remember from English class something about continuous tenses (I think that's what it's called.) So I'm wondering, even if I'm writing in past tense, are there still words that will be in present continuous tense?

Example:
Sarah walked up the stairs to the large doors of the auditorium. She had vowed to herself she would never come back here, but she knows this is important to her sister.

Using "knew", to me, implies that she doesn't know anymore. It makes sense to me to use "knows" since she knew back when this happened and she still knows now as I'm writing it. Just like I wouldn't use "was" (is important to her sister). Because it's still important to her sister. Or maybe I'm even wrong in thinking this.

So should I always use past tense forms in past tense, or are there certain situations that call for a sort of continuous, "always" tense?

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI remember from English class something about continuous tenses (I think that's what it's called.) So I'm wondering, even if I'm writing in past tense, are there still words that will be in present continuous tense? I am not certain what you are asking here but do you mean simple present tense ? Or present continuous? which is the verb + ing form? Based on you question, I have feeling you may be confused.

This is my interpretation of your post from a casual obsersation standpoint .
Anonymous ......but she knows this is important to her sister.
Whether the simple past ( knew + was) or the simple present (nows + is ) should be used depends on the perspective or the mental being of the author at the time. In this case, Sarah is the only person to determine, figuratively speaking. I agree present tense is more prevailed.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSarah walked up the stairs to the large doors of the auditorium. She had vowed to herself she would never come back here, but she ~~knows this is~~ knew this was important to her sister.

We don't care what she knows now. We care what she knew when she walked up the stairs. I believe you need to rethink what you're saying; you have misunderstood some ideas about the use of the tenses.

It's quite possible that you don't know now what you will know tomorrow; you may learn something between now and tomorrow; it's not as likely that you know something now that you won't know tomorrow -- unless you have an exceptionally bad memory. In any case, knew (yesterday) does not imply doesn't know (now).

Note: knows is present simple, not present continuous.

CJ

Know in past tense

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