There I was sitting at a desk in the library

[NamelessKing]

Could you please correct my sentences?

There I was sitting at a desk in the library working on my computer when all of a sudden the fire alarm (went or goes?) off. I figured it was just a malfunction, as it sounds every day for a few seconds, but it kept ringing. Soon after, a member of the staff came and told us to leave the building. I though to myself "this may be a fire drill" but later I learned a fire was actually occurring in one corridor.

 

[Tarheel]

The fire alarm went off.

There actually was a fire.

 

[Yankee]

"Went", but "goes" works if the speaker tries to place the listener in the situation of the moment as, "I am sitting at a desk.......when the alarm goes off".

 

[NamelessKing]

"Went", but "goes" works if the speaker tries to place the listener in the situation of the moment as, "I am sitting at a desk.......when the alarm goes off".

So the entire piece should be written in present simple?

 

[Tarheel]

So the entire piece should be written in present simple?

Did you notice the word "if"?

 

[NamelessKing]

Did you notice the word "if"?

I did. So if I want to change the style, all the verbs should be in present simple, right?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

Please note that I've moved this thread to the Editing & Writing Topics forum. If you're asking for proofreading of passages of more than one sentence, please post them here.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have merged your two threads with identical titles. There was no need for a new thread.

 

[NamelessKing]

I have merged your two threads with identical titles. There was no need for a new thread.

I don't recall creating a new thread. xD

 

[Rover_KE]

Never mind.