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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Use of 'ing' in the past tense.

Is it possible to use a word such as 'carrying' in the past tense while maintaining correct grammar?
Here is an example sentence:

"They were not dank caves full of moisture and life, but dry and dead metal pipes carrying scrubbed air to the populace inhabiting all levels below Plane Zero."

Thank you to anyone willing to answer a question proposed by a complete amateur. In addition, the sentence may very well be riddled with numerous grammatical errors unrelated to my question. Feel free to correct those mistakes as you wish, though do not feel compelled to if you've not the time to do so.
  

Top answer

Anonymous pipes carrying scrubbed air The clause that starts with "carrying" is a non-finite clause. More specifically, it's a participle clause. Non-finite clauses have no tense.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous pipes carrying scrubbed air The clause that starts with "carrying" is a non-finite clause.
  • More specifically, it's a participle clause.
  • Non-finite clauses have no tense.
  • They take their tense from the main clause.
  • They were (past) not dank caves ...
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1 Answers
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Anonymouspipes carrying scrubbed air
The clause that starts with "carrying" is a non-finite clause. More specifically, it's a participle clause.
Non-finite clauses have no tense. They take their tense from the main clause.

They were (past) not dank caves ... but pipes carrying (past by implication) scrubbed air ...

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