[Grammar] I find/found/have found a useful tip.

[kadioguy]

According to this thread #20
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...r-I-might-have-my-own-grandchildren-now/page2

a. I find a useful tip.
b. I found a useful tip.
c. I have found a useful tip.
--------

Which one(s) is/are correct? Could you tell me the reason?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

According to this thread #20
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...r-I-might-have-my-own-grandchildren-now/page2

a. I find a useful tip.

That's simple present: I wonder how to win at backgammon. I go to the library. I find a Hoyle's. I look in the table of contents. I find a useful tip.

b. I found a useful tip.

That's simple past tense: I wondered how to win at backgammon. I found a useful tip.

c. I have found a useful tip.

That's fancier English: I've been wondering how to win at backgammon, and I've found a useful tip.
--------

Which one(s) is/are correct?

They're all fine but have slightly different meanings.

Could you tell me the reason?

You can tell us. hat do you know about tenses?

In that thread, you said "I just found a useful tip."

That was excellent English.

 

[kadioguy]

You can tell us. How do you know about tenses?

I know that 'simple present' can mean 'a habit' or 'a repetitive action', so I wondered whether 'I find a useful tip' means 'find' is 'a habit' or 'a repetitive action', just like 'I read a book every week.'

I thought 'simple past tense' is a 'safer' choice in my case.

For 'present perfect', I don't think I can handle it. :-?

 

[GoesStation]

There are few situations where the present simple would be natural. Charlie's narration illustrates one; however, we don't use that style much.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes, I totally agree with both of those comments. Simple past is safest, and simple present is highly unlikely.

 

[kadioguy]

... so I wondered whether 'I find a useful tip' means 'find' is 'a habit' or 'a repetitive action', just like 'I read a book every week.'

I thought 'simple past tense' is a more 'safe' choice in my case.

I used 'simple past tense' and 'simple present' in the same sentence. Is it grammatical?

 

[GoesStation]

I know that 'simple present' can mean 'a habit' or 'a repetitive action', so I wondered whether 'I find a useful tip' means 'find' is 'a habit' or 'a repetitive action', just like 'I read a book every week.':tick:

I thought 'simple past tense' was a 'safer' choice in my case.

I used the past simple [STRIKE]'past tense'[/STRIKE] and [STRIKE]simple[/STRIKE] present simple [tense] in the same sentence. Is [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] this grammatical?

The present simple works in the first sentence because you were wondering, in the past, about a permanent condition which applies now as much as it did then. Backshifting works better in the second sentence because you're talking about what your thoughts were in the past.

Don't use quotation marks to make words stand out.

 

[kadioguy]

find verb
to discover that something is true after you have tried it, tested it or experienced it

I find (that) it pays to be honest.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/find_1?q=find
-------------

I don't know why the sentence uses the present simple tense here. Doesn't the present simple tense mean a 'habit' or 'repetitive action'?
-------

The following says that the present simple tense can be used for continuous verbs (non-instantaneous actions), or static verbs (also known as state verbs), indicating continuous state, mental activity, love and hate, perception, etc.

Does this explanation apply to my question above?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I have learned that the simple present can refer to the future.

1. He retires in two years.
2. He will write an autobiography when he retires.

 

[Matthew Wai]

find verb
to discover that something is true after you have tried it, tested it or experienced it

I find (that) it pays to be honest.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/find_1?q=find
-------------

I don't know why the sentence uses the present simple tense here.

'Find' does not mean 'discover' there. See definition #4 at https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/find_1#find_1__25
It refers to an ongoing state in the present.

 

[kadioguy]

'Find' does not mean 'discover' there. See definition #4 at https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/find_1#find_1__25
It refers to an ongoing state in the present.

But its definition is from OALD, a famous dictionary. :shock:
So you think 'find' here is similar to 'think'. Am I right?

 

[Matthew Wai]

But its definition is from OALD, a famous dictionary. :shock:

I incline to the definition in Macmillan, an equally famous dictionary.

So you think 'find' here is similar to 'think'. Am I right?

Yes. Also see definition #7 at https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/find

 

[kadioguy]

'Find' does not mean 'discover' there. See definition #4 at https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/find_1#find_1__25
It refers to an ongoing state in the present.

Perhaps 'discover' is also a static verb?

See https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Eng-Class/M.1515816255.A.CAE.html (Chinese website)

 

[Matthew Wai]

Don't trust the Chinese when it comes to English learning.

 

[kadioguy]

Don't trust the Chinese when it comes to English learning.

Sorry, but do you mean the Chinese (language) or (people)? :shock:
--------
(update)
OK, I would think you mean the Chinese (people).