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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

story telling

Why do a lot of people tell past stories in the present tense?

They talk about a situation that happened in the past in the present tense?

That happens a lot. How come?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

It's called "the historical present", and people find that the story is made more vivid and interesting for the listener when told that way. CJ

— CalifJim

  • It's called "the historical present", and people find that the story is made more vivid and interesting for the listener when told that way.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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It's called "the historical present", and people find that the story is made more vivid and interesting for the listener when told that way.

CJ
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CalifJimIt's called "the historical present", and people find that the story is made more vivid and interesting for the listener when told that way.CJ
But doesn't it get very confusing? Because the story happened in the past but is being told in the present.

Does everyone do that or just some people?
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Hi CalifJim,

I'm sorry to interrupt here.
If a story is written in past tense, and the questions asked about is in present tense, should I use present tense to answer the questions, even the events in the story are in the past?

Thanks
TN
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PreciousJonesBut doesn't it get very confusing?
No. Never. Look. I'm sitting there in front of you, telling the story. I say,

And then I sneak up on him. I go extra slow. Then I touch him on the shoulder, and he spins around and aims his pistol at me.

I'm obviously not doing any of that while talking to you, so obviously it's a s
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