Question about simple past tense that is not so simple in my head
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Consider this simple sentence that is not based on real-life experience:
During the concert, Mike shouted until his voice was heard by the
singer.
I am also confused by this type of sentence, should I use was heard or is heard? I am reported a past event, but the word until feels like I have to use the present tense. In this scenario, Mike shouted and the singer heard. Another example:
"Subjects needed information from the linear displacement of the limbs
when force was applied and xxxanother cue"
Again, should it be is or was? I am reporting force that the subjects applied, however, it feels like the term when changes the was to is.
past-tense
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 14 at 2:37
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Consider this simple sentence that is not based on real-life experience:
During the concert, Mike shouted until his voice was heard by the
singer.
I am also confused by this type of sentence, should I use was heard or is heard? I am reported a past event, but the word until feels like I have to use the present tense. In this scenario, Mike shouted and the singer heard. Another example:
"Subjects needed information from the linear displacement of the limbs
when force was applied and xxxanother cue"
Again, should it be is or was? I am reporting force that the subjects applied, however, it feels like the term when changes the was to is.
past-tense
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 14 at 2:37
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Consider this simple sentence that is not based on real-life experience:
During the concert, Mike shouted until his voice was heard by the
singer.
I am also confused by this type of sentence, should I use was heard or is heard? I am reported a past event, but the word until feels like I have to use the present tense. In this scenario, Mike shouted and the singer heard. Another example:
"Subjects needed information from the linear displacement of the limbs
when force was applied and xxxanother cue"
Again, should it be is or was? I am reporting force that the subjects applied, however, it feels like the term when changes the was to is.
past-tense
Consider this simple sentence that is not based on real-life experience:
During the concert, Mike shouted until his voice was heard by the
singer.
I am also confused by this type of sentence, should I use was heard or is heard? I am reported a past event, but the word until feels like I have to use the present tense. In this scenario, Mike shouted and the singer heard. Another example:
"Subjects needed information from the linear displacement of the limbs
when force was applied and xxxanother cue"
Again, should it be is or was? I am reporting force that the subjects applied, however, it feels like the term when changes the was to is.
past-tense
past-tense
asked Dec 12 at 19:14
Sharah
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 14 at 2:37
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 14 at 2:37
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27
add a comment |
I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27
I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27
I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27
add a comment |
1 Answer
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0
down vote
It's totally fine to use 'was' in this situation because the entire event has happened in the past. For example you would say "On that infamous day, war was declared" as using 'is declared' wouldn't make sense in this context. It's only really when the event 'is happening' or 'is going to happen' where you use "is", as in present or future tense.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
It's totally fine to use 'was' in this situation because the entire event has happened in the past. For example you would say "On that infamous day, war was declared" as using 'is declared' wouldn't make sense in this context. It's only really when the event 'is happening' or 'is going to happen' where you use "is", as in present or future tense.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
It's totally fine to use 'was' in this situation because the entire event has happened in the past. For example you would say "On that infamous day, war was declared" as using 'is declared' wouldn't make sense in this context. It's only really when the event 'is happening' or 'is going to happen' where you use "is", as in present or future tense.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
It's totally fine to use 'was' in this situation because the entire event has happened in the past. For example you would say "On that infamous day, war was declared" as using 'is declared' wouldn't make sense in this context. It's only really when the event 'is happening' or 'is going to happen' where you use "is", as in present or future tense.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
It's totally fine to use 'was' in this situation because the entire event has happened in the past. For example you would say "On that infamous day, war was declared" as using 'is declared' wouldn't make sense in this context. It's only really when the event 'is happening' or 'is going to happen' where you use "is", as in present or future tense.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
3,303316
3,303316
answered Dec 12 at 20:59
sichun zhang
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
add a comment |
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
2
2
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
"war were declared" should be "war was declared", since "were" is plural.
– Barmar
Dec 13 at 0:49
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
See also: English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 13 at 9:21
add a comment |
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I would say: During the concert, Mike was shouting until his voice was heard by the singer.
– user307254
Dec 13 at 4:27