[Grammar] Present tense or past tense?

Status
Not open for further replies.

eowsy

New member
Joined
May 28, 2011
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Malaysia
I have some questions regarding the use of present tense and past tense in an essay which talks about a past event.

I saw a disabled beggar when i was walking to my working place.I am a lucky person compared to the beggar as i have a good family and i have been working in a company for five years.I gave a sigh before i passed by the poor beggar.

Is it grammatically correct to use present tense for the second sentence?I saw the beggar maybe two or three days ago but i am confused whether i should use present tense or past tense when i describe my condition at the time i saw the beggar(have a family and working in a company).
 

JTRiff

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
Netherlands
Current Location
Canada
I saw a disabled beggar as I was walking to my place of work.
I am a lucky person compared to the beggar, as I have a good family and have been working for a company for five years. I sighed as I passed by the poor beggar.

I, capital I, always. :)

not a teacher
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
I have some questions regarding the use of present tense and past tense in an essay which talks about a past event.

I saw a disabled beggar when i was walking to my working place.I am a lucky person compared to the beggar as i have a good family and i have been working in a company for five years.I gave a sigh before i passed by the poor beggar.

Is it grammatically correct to use present tense for the second sentence?I saw the beggar maybe two or three days ago but i am confused whether i should use present tense or past tense when i describe my condition at the time i saw the beggar(have a family and working in a company).
You also need to leave a space after a period or question mark.
Your English is good. It's a pity to spoil it simply due to a lack of care with spacing. English native readers will often notice poor presentation before they realise that your English is actually quite good.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top