Verb tense question

#1 (**permalink**) 01-Jul-2003, 20:56

I have one question
Can i mix present tense with past tense in the same paragraph?
for example:
I believe that the Main character of the story - Dorry is innocent because she has a reputation for being honest throughout the whole story. She showed honesty when she was caught stealing an apple and she admit that she stole the apple, while other people who were with her did not. ...
I made this paragraph up, because i can't find an example.
Thanks.

Tdol · #2 (**permalink**) 01-Jul-2003, 22:01

Yes, you can. We move from the past to the present to bring things closer to the reader and the other way to move into history.

RonBee · #3 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2003, 00:17

Suggestion/correction

Quote:

She showed honesty when she was caught stealing an apple and she admit that she stole the apple, while other people who were with her did not.

She showed honesty when she was caught stealing an apple, and she admitted that she stole the apple, while other people who were with her did not.

There is nothing wrong with changing tenses in a paragraph. In your example, it would have been impossible for you to have said what you said had you not done so.

8)

#4 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2003, 23:07

Thanks RonBee, but i dont really know what you mean here.
"There is nothing wrong with changing tenses in a paragraph. In your example, it would have been impossible for you to have said what you said had you not done so."

can you explain it?