The "Selected" Competitors "Are" or "Were"?

Question

Hi guys,My girlfriend and I were arguing about a sentence. English is not our first language, I apologise if this is a very simple grammar.  May I know 1) or 2) is the correct one? Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you.1) The selected competitors for this research are Hilton, Premium Inn and Holiday Inn.2) The selected competitors for this research were Hilton, Premium Inn and Holiday Inn.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Both are possible. We need more context before we can say whether one is more appropriate than the other.

Shyuan · Answer

Hi fivejedjon,

Thank you for your reply.

We are writing a report. As far as we concerned, we need to put mostly past tense because it's a report (told by lecturer or we misunderstood him). But the below sentences are to be put as introduction, so we assume we have to use present tense because the result/discussion will come after the introduction. We are confused now.

So the paragraph starts with:

In Chapter 3, the researcher will present the investigation and description of three chosen competitors’ brochures. The selected competitors are Hilton, Premium Inn and Holiday Inn.

Thank you very much for your help!

CalifJim · Answer

ShyuanThe ~~selected~~ competitors selected for this research [are / were] Hilton, Premium Inn and Holiday Inn.

"selected for" goes together, so it's better to place them together. "are" and "were" are both fine. I would make it match whatever tense is used in the rest of your text.

CJ

Shyuan · Answer

Hi CalifJim,

Thank you for pointing out the "selected" mistake and the issue regarding "are" and "were"

The "Selected" Competitors "Are" or "Were"?

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