WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE FORM OF TENSE TO BE USED IN BOOKS WRITING?
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Re: WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE FORM OF TENSE TO BE USED IN BOOKS WRITING?
- Telo_2018
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- Yssimnar
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I think it depends on the preference and purpose of the author. The key is to be consistent. If the author is jumping around, we have to ask if there is a purpose in changing tense or if the author is just being sloppy.Aisha I wrote: ↑07 Apr 2018, 00:15 Frequently, many writers become confused about what tense to use in narrating a new story. They ponder if they should use the present tense, present continuous, past tense or the past participles in terms of verbs and the action of the story.
It is accurate to use either past tense or present tense in writing a story. I use either of them in narrating a story but I prefer using the present tense at most. I make sure I stay consistent with a particular tense because it's atrocious to use both present tense and past tense at the same time, and it is fun to use one in line with the story.
What can you say about this topic?
Which do you prefer and why do you think it's the best?
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I feel so because the present gives a sense of the content being factual and unchanging while the past gives the feeling of recounting an event.
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A word or two of caution: present tense is much more difficult to write than past tense. I didn't believe this was true until I started writing. If you have less then perfect grasp on grammar, and even if you do, think a thousand times before going for the present tense.
Also, what's the norm is past tense. Most people prefer it. So writing in the present may throw some readers off, unless your writing is brilliant. If you really want to take that chance, go for it.
- Mai Tran
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On the other hand, it's fine to use past tense when you're talking about your experience with a book. I use past tense for the most part of my reviews because tense shifting can be confusing to readers. I haven't had any problem so far, so it must be acceptable.
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