The tournament is sponsored by local businesses.

[kadioguy]

The tournament is sponsored by local businesses.

https://learnersdictionary.com/definition/sponsor
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Is this present tense used to mean a habitual action? Or "sponsored" here is an adjective [used to describe the state of the tournament]?

For me, I think that "the tournament is sponsored by local businesses' means "local businesses sponsors the tournament", which is a habitual action.

What do you think?

 

[jutfrank]

I think it's likely to be the case that the tournament refers to one specific event, which is sponsored by local businesses.

It could also be that the tournament refers to a regular event.

 

[kadioguy]

I think it's likely to be the case that the tournament refers to one specific event, which is sponsored by local businesses.

In this case "sponsored" is an adjective, describing "a state".

It could also be that the tournament refers to a regular event.

In this case "sponsor" is a habitual action.

So both are possible. Is that right?

 

[SoothingDave]

The plain reading would be that the tournament happening right now is being sponsored by the business. There is nothing that implies a habitual action.

Even if something is an annual event, without more context I would not assume such a statement referred to the sponsorship in the past or in the future.

Saying something like "Cadillac is a continuing (or 'founding' or 'long time') sponsor of the Masters tournament" if the intent was to express some habitual sponsorship.

 

[kadioguy]

The plain reading would be that the tournament happening right now is being sponsored by the business. There is nothing that implies a habitual action.

Even if something is an annual event, without more context I would not assume such a statement referred to the sponsorship in the past or in the future.

Saying something like "Cadillac is a continuing (or 'founding' or 'long time') sponsor of the Masters tournament" if the intent was to express some habitual sponsorship.

Hi SoothingDave,

You used the past tense in the red text, because you thought they were unreal, just for examples. Is that right?

Or did you think that they happened in the past?

 

[kadioguy]

Hi SoothingDave,

You used the past tense in the red text, because you thought they were unreal, just for examples. Is that right?

Or did you think that they happened in the past?

Hi members,

If you don't mind, could you help me with this question?

 

[SoothingDave]

Hi SoothingDave,

You used the past tense in the red text, because you thought they were unreal, just for examples. Is that right?

Or did you think that they happened in the past?

The writing of the statement did indeed happen in the past. The author had an intent to express some meaning.

 

[Tdol]

You used the past tense in the red text, because you thought they were unreal, just for examples. Is that right?

Might it not be that he did not know they were real? Sponsorships change.

 

[tedmc]

I would say the simple present is used in the sentence as a plain statement of fact.

 

[kadioguy]

Might it not be that he did not know they were real? Sponsorships change.

Your reply sometimes confuses me, to be honest. I am not sure what you mean.

You mean "I think that he (= SoothingDave) did not know they were real". Is that right?