Can we mix present and past in one sentence ?

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vader jr

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Is it grammatically correct to mix "present" and "past" in a same sentence ?
How about in a same paragraph ?

Example:
1) John feels very upset (now) because (yesterday), his brother took his pencil.

2) Mr.X is a famous athlete. Since 2008 until 2010, he won more than 8 big competitions. He was born in July, 1980. He is an idol for the teenagers. He always shows good attitudes to his siblings and peers.

If it is acceptable, can someone gives me other examples to clarify this situation.
 

emsr2d2

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Is it grammatically correct to mix "present" and "past" in a same sentence ?
How about in a same paragraph ?

Example:
1) John feels very upset (now) because (yesterday), his brother took his pencil.

2) Mr.X is a famous athlete. [STRIKE]Since[/STRIKE] Between 2008 [STRIKE]until[/STRIKE] and 2010, he won more than 8 big competitions. He was born in July, 1980. He is an idol for the teenagers. He always shows good attitudes to his siblings and peers.

If it is acceptable, can someone gives me other examples to clarify this situation.

Both your example sentence and paragraph are fine. You can regularly mix tenses in one sentence.

I'm fat now because I ate too much for years.
John's happy today because he got good marks in his English test yesterday.
Sarah is worried because she is going to the doctor tomorrow (here the present continous is used to express the future.
 

vader jr

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Thanks for the fast reply.
I wish for more examples.:lol:
 

emsr2d2

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Thanks for the fast reply.
I wish for more examples.:lol:

This thread could go on forever with more and more examples. You now know that it is possible to mix tenses so why not post some of your own to practice, and show that you've grasped it?! :-D
 

vader jr

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1. I am really proud because I did the homework myself.
2. Last month his weight was 50kg but now his weight decreases to 47kg.
3. This is the handkerchief which I bought last week.

Please check my sentences.
 

emsr2d2

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1. I am really proud because I did the homework myself. Correct.

2. Last month his weight was 50kg but now his weight decreases to 47kg.
Incorrect. His weight "has decreased" to 47kg. However, you could have said "Last month he weighed 50kg, but now he weighs 47kg".

3. This is the handkerchief which I bought last week. Correct.

Please check my sentences.

See above.
 
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