0
Peaceblinkfriend Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Pigeon roosting problem - past or present tense?

Hi all,

If you are describing to your friend about how pigeons would roost on the window ledges at the place where you lived, would you use the past tense of the verb 'roosted' or the present tense, 'roost'? Supposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live.

"Pigeons roosted on the window ledge. And I'm talking about the window in my room. Can you believe it?"
"Pigeons roost on the window ledge. And I'm talking about the window in my room. Can you believe it? "

Thanks

PBF
  

Top answer

Peaceblinkfriend Supposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live. You can't be sure can you? I mean you are no longer living there so I would use the past tense.

— New2grammar

  • Peaceblinkfriend Supposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live.
  • You can't be sure can you?
  • I mean you are no longer living there so I would use the past tense.
  • Also, why my room?
  • It's no longer your room.
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.

2 Answers
0
PeaceblinkfriendSupposing there are still pigeons roosting on the window ledges where you used to live.
You can't be sure can you? I mean you are no longer living there so I would use the past tense.

Also, why my room? It's no longer your room. Try my old room or something like that.

Just my opinion.
0
0
N2G raises a good point. If they are still there and you're sure, then use "roost." If you want to talk about when you were there, use "roosted."
0

Related Questions