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Hoa Thai Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
past or present tense in quoting?
Hello,
Thanks in advance!
What is the convention in using the present or past tense to quote a source? If the present tense must be used, then please explain the reason behind such a recommendation. By the way, I was told to use the present tense a long way back and did not have a sense to ask why.
1. From a written source:
Dr. Samuel writes / wrote, "The medical community ...." I don't understand how he reaches / reached his conclusion!
2. From a recorded source:
President John F. Kennedy says / said, "Ask not ....."
Best Regards,
Hoa Thai
Thanks in advance!
What is the convention in using the present or past tense to quote a source? If the present tense must be used, then please explain the reason behind such a recommendation. By the way, I was told to use the present tense a long way back and did not have a sense to ask why.
1. From a written source:
Dr. Samuel writes / wrote, "The medical community ...." I don't understand how he reaches / reached his conclusion!
2. From a recorded source:
President John F. Kennedy says / said, "Ask not ....."
Best Regards,
Hoa Thai
Top answer
You can use either. The past indicates that you are thinking about the past event of writing or recording; the present indicates that you are thinking about the present existence of that writing or recording. In most cases, both will serve equally well.
- You can use either.
- The past indicates that you are thinking about the past event of writing or recording; the present indicates that you are thinking about the present existence of that writing or recording.
- In most cases, both will serve equally well.
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1 Answers
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You can use either. The past indicates that you are thinking about the past event of writing or recording; the present indicates that you are thinking about the present existence of that writing or recording. In most cases, both will serve equally well.
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