Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Robert Iglesias]

Why is a simple present tense used for an action that happened in the past? English grammar books say it is used in that manner because it is historical present. Or, is it used in that manner as a matter of style? I noticed that newspaper headlines and some people telling a story use it that way. I am confused. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Robert Iglesias

[lotus]

Hi,

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_tensec.html

This link probably has more information than you want to know. But, the gist of using simple present tense is this:

Generally, writers maintain one tense for the main discourse and indicate changes in time frame by changing tense relative to that primary tense, which is usually either simple past or simple present.

... use [simple] present tense to describe action in a literary work, movie, or other fictional narrative. Occasionally, for dramatic effect, you may wish to narrate an event in present tense as though it were happening now. If you do, use present tense consistently throughout the narrative, making shifts only where appropriate.


--lotus
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