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Samir1 Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Past Tense or Present Tense?

Hi, this is what I'm trying to describe:

An ability that I showed at a specific point in the past. The ability, however, still exists.

So this is my sentence (or not a sentence so much as a sentence fragment):

"Displayed a knack for sniffing out problems before they arose/arise"

Which is it? And if possible, why? Thank you.
  

Top answer

I'd say arise.

  • I'd say arise.
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3 Answers
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Sir, is there any reasoning behind your decision?
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The Simple Present stresses more that, as you say, the ability, still exists..
The Simple Past doesn't do this.

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