Can you give some examples of writing present and past tense in a novel?
Sure. Present tense: 'The boy plays in the park every day.' Past tense: 'The boy played in the park yesterday.'
Present tense: 'She loves reading books.' Past tense: 'She loved reading books when she was a child.' In a novel, present tense can give a sense of immediacy while past tense can show events that have already taken place.
Should you use present tense or past tense for fiction writing?
Well, both can work. Present tense can add a sense of urgency, but past tense often gives a more straightforward narrative flow. It really comes down to the style and effect you want to create.
What are the advantages of writing in present or past tense in a novel?
Present tense in a novel can create a more immersive experience for the reader. It's as if they are right there with the characters, experiencing everything in real - time. For instance, 'The character looks around, not knowing what to expect'. On the other hand, past tense allows for a more reflective and distanced view. It can be used to tell a story from a narrator's perspective who has already lived through the events. It also gives the writer more freedom to play with time, like in a flashback. 'She remembered the day when she first saw him. He was standing by the old oak tree, looking so handsome in his uniform.'
Can you use past and present tense in a novel?
Yes, you have the flexibility to do that. The key is to use the tenses appropriately and consistently within a specific context to make the narrative coherent and engaging for the readers.
Can present tense be used in a past tense fiction?
Yes. It could be used to create a sense of timelessness or to draw attention to specific moments. However, it needs to be used sparingly and with a clear purpose to avoid disrupting the overall past tense narrative.
Present Perfect Tense and Past Perfect Tense
The marker of the present perfect tense is already or has already passed, indicating that the action has continued from a certain time in the past until now. For example: - She had already walked for an hour. - He had learned a foreign language before. The marker of the past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action has been completed before a certain time in the past. For example: He had been learning a foreign language for a year. - She had been walking for an hour and five minutes. It should be noted that the past perfect tense is usually used to indicate actions that have been completed before a certain time in the past, while the present perfect tense is used to indicate actions that are currently being done.
the present perfect, the past tense
The present perfect tense is marked with have/has, and the past tense is marked with had. For example: - I have finished my homework - She had gone to the store before she came back home Note that the present perfect tense and the simple past tense are different in grammar. The present perfect tense focuses on actions that have been completed before a certain point in the past while the simple past tense focuses on actions that have taken place before a certain point in the past.
the present perfect, the past tense
Marks are words used to express the relationship between time, such as past, present, future, etc. The present perfect tense means that the action started at a certain point in the past and continues until now. The emphasis is on the duration of the action. The simple past tense meant that the action was completed before a certain point in the past, emphasizing the start time of the action. In novels, it was often necessary to use the present perfect tense and the simple past tense to describe the actions and states of the characters. For example, if a character started doing something at a certain point in time and continued until now, it could be expressed in the present perfect tense, while if a character completed something before a certain point in time in the past, it could be expressed in the simple past tense. For example: - He had been busy the whole day until ten o'clock in the evening. - He had once learned a new skill but had never had the time to practice it. - Last night, she dreamed that she had gone back in time and changed everything. In these examples, the markers "always","until","once","but", etc. are used to emphasize the duration and sequence of actions.
Can you give some tips for writing a first person present tense short story?
Well, start with a strong opening that hooks the reader immediately. Something like 'I open my eyes and I'm in a place I've never seen before.' Keep the plot simple and focused. You don't want to confuse the reader with too many sub - plots. And make sure to show the character's growth or change during the story. For example, 'I used to be afraid of the dark, but now I'm standing in this pitch - black alley, and I'm not scared anymore.'
When can present tense be used in past tense fiction?
Present tense can come into play in past tense fiction when it's essential to give a sense of timelessness or universality to a particular experience. Sometimes, authors use it to break the traditional narrative flow and add a unique flavor to the story.
Can You Mix Past and Present Tense in a Story?
Yes, you can. For example, 'I walk to the old house where I grew up. The walls are still the same as they were years ago, but now there are new curtains in the windows.' This mixing can add depth and a sense of time continuity to the story.