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Thread: Using forms of tenses

  1. #1
    thushanthiw is offline Newbie
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    Smile Using forms of tenses

    Mr.ABC (a name of an author) was a great author. He has written 10 books.
    Is the two tenses that I've used here is correct?
    What if I write "He wrote 10 books."
    Is there any definite rule that I should be aware when writing sentences like this.

    If the writer is still alive , we write the first sentence as "Mr.ABC is an author". But what is the correct tense that I should use to the second sentence.Is there a specific rule when the author is alive or dead.

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    engee30 is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Using forms of tenses

    ♥♦♣♠ NOT A TEACHER ♥♦♣♠

    To me, the second sentence in the past simple tense is the one I'd normally use when talking about a person no longer living.
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    Default Re: Using forms of tenses

    Quote Originally Posted by thushanthiw View Post
    Mr.ABC (a name of an author) was a great author. He has written 10 books.
    Are the two tenses that I've used here correct?
    What if I write "He wrote 10 books."
    Is there any definite rule that I should be aware when writing sentences like this.

    If the writer is still alive , we write the first sentence as "Mr.ABC is an author". But what is the correct tense that I should use to the second sentence.Is there a specific rule when the author is alive or dead.
    If you write "ABC is an author", you can follow it with "he has written ten books".
    If you write "ABC was an author", you must follow it with "he wrote ten books".
    thushanthiw likes this.

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