Why of the 12 English tenses is used most often in this book?

Question

As a non-native English speaker, I struggle identifying which tense a book is written in. Indeed, any interesting book will most likely be written in as many tenses as possible, except for however, those books expressing continuous thought, for example, Rene Descartes's Meditations and other Metaphysical Writings. I am reading Descarte's thoughts from his perspective, as though I am him. What is this called in English? Also, which of the 12 English tenses does Descarte use most to convey his ideas to the reader? Is this an example of a particular writing style unlike 'Plain English' that is advocated on this forum?

Thanks!

GPY · Accepted Answer

HjoiI am reading Descarte's thoughts from his perspective, as though I am him. What is this called in English?

Writing that uses the words "I", "me", etc. is said to be in the "first person".

HjoiIs this an example of a particular writing style unlike 'Plain English' that is advocated on this forum?

As you will know, this work was not originally written in English. Therefore the "plainness" or otherwise will depend on the translation you are using. I don't know how many translations there have been, but I would guess that old and modern translations exist. All other things being equal, a modern translation is likely to be "plainer" (at least to modern eyes) than an older translation, but given the subject matter I imagine some parts will inevitably be fairly complicated.

As for which tense is used most often ... you would have to count them!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Generally, the book is in present tense, but, as you say, tenses are used in the book as any English speaker will naturally use them. Here is an excerpt with future, present, present perfect. Other passages add past and past perfect. It is mostly active voice.

I will not hesitate ("future", or modal with "will") , however, to avow my belief that it has been (present perfect) my singular good fortune to have very early in life fallen in with certain tracks which have conducted (present perfect) me to considerations and maxims, of which I have formed (present perfect) a method that gives (present) me the means, as I think, of gradually augmenting my knowledge, and of raising it by little and little to the highest point which the mediocrity of my talents and the brief duration of my life will permit ("future", or modal with "will") me to reach. For I have already reaped (present perfect) from it such fruits that, although I have been accustomed (present perfect) to think lowly enough of myself, and although when I look (present) with the eye of a philosopher at the varied courses and pursuits of mankind at large, I find (present) scarcely one which does not appear in vain and useless, I nevertheless derive (present) the highest satisfaction from the progress I conceive (present) myself to have already made in the search after truth, and cannot help (present) entertaining such expectations of the future as to believe that if, among the occupations of men as men, there is (present) any one really excellent and important, it is (present) that which I have chosen (present perfect) .

Mister Micawber · Answer

That is just a link to purchase of the book, not the book itself, so I cannot see that translation. However, I'm sure you are aware that it was written in the 17th century and was no doubt translated into the 'plain English' (whatever you mean by that) of the day...given that it contains abstruse philosophical ideas, of course.

Hjoi. I am reading Descarte's thoughts from his perspective, as though I am him.

Then I suppose you are reading the 'narrative present'.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Incidentally, few grammarians would accept that there are twelve tenses in English.

Why of the 12 English tenses is used most often in this book?

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