Tense Consistency?

Question

Ex.He knew that it is the bureaucrats that govern the country and, therefore, he worked closely with them to bring about the changes. Q.Even though "it is the bureaucrats that govern the country" may still be true today, should I keep that in the past tense form? Doing so wouldn't suggest that it no longer is the case, right?If i keep it in present tense, would it be wrong? Because I learned that if the statement is still true, you can keep it in the present tense. Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

vcoltsI learned that if the statement is still true, you can keep it in the present tense.

The key word is 'can'. You can, but you don't have to. The part that's in the present tense seems universally true, or close enough, so the present sounds fine.

vcoltsEven though "it is the bureaucrats that govern the country" may still be true today, should I keep that in the past tense form? Doing so wouldn't suggest that it no longer is the case, right?

No. It doesn't suggest that it's no longer the case. However, in this sentence it suggests, to me anyway, that its true relevance was in the past, particularly if this sentence occurs in a story about a historical event.

He knew that it was the bureaucrats that governed the country [at the time of this story; in the political climate of that time] and, therefore, he worked closely with them to bring about the changes.

CJ

Vcolts · Answer

So it's fine either way then, right?

I wanted to keep that part in present tense because the statement is not only relevant today but it has been the case for a long time for the country.

Putting it in the past tense feels like it "was" but no longer is. Even though I keep reminding myself that it is not the case.

CalifJim · Answer

vcoltsSo it's fine either way then, right?

Grammatically, yes. Stylistically, just pick the one that fits best in your story or essay or whatever you're writing.

vcoltsI wanted to keep that part in present tense because the statement is not only relevant today but it has been the case for a long time for the country.

Well, then do that.

vcoltsPutting it in the past tense feels like it "was" but no longer is. Even though I keep reminding myself that it is not the case.

Keep reminding yourself when these situations come up. 'was' says how the situation was in the past. It says absolutely nothing about how the situation is now in the present. For example, if you say that the interest rate on your savings account was low in 2006, it does not mean it is not low now. 'was' is not the equivalent of 'is not'.

Students of English seem to ask this question again and again, and I don't know where they get the idea that if you say something about the past it means that the same situation cannot also apply to the present.

CJ

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