[Grammar] the reason I ask

[kadioguy]

[From a TOEIC test]

Woman: Hello, Juan. This is Helen Luna at Magnurn Heating Supplies. I've been going over our customer records, and I see that you currently use our Model 200 filters for your heating systems. I'm just calling to ask. Have you considered upgrading to the Model 201 filters?

Man: I guess it's a possibility, but the 200's seem to be doing the job just fine for us.

Woman: Well, the reason I ask is that for the next 90 days the Model 201 filters will be on sale for the same price as the Model 200's you're using now, so this would be a good time to change to the newer model.

[Source]
----

Why is it “the reason I ask” rather than “the reason I asked”? Didn’t the “ask” happen in the past? Or Do both work?

A friend told me, 'Both work here specifically with "ask". It's common to say things like "I ask because..." instead of I'm asking.'

I replied:

So in this context,

a. the reason I ask
b. the reason I asked
c. the reason I am asking
d. the reason I was asking

Option (a) is most natural, while the others still work. Is that right?

The friend: You could say it sort of like that, but none of them are unnatural or far enough away to put in a hierarchy.

I agree with him. However, I would also like to hear your opinions.

While they all work here, it's common to say things like "I ask because..." instead of "I'm asking because...".

Have I understood correctly?

 

[tedmc]

I'd use a and c, which give a sense of immediacy. You are still at it and awaiting a response.
The past tense implies the action is over and somewhat distant.
I don't think d works.

 

[kadioguy]

I'd use a and c, which give a sense of immediacy. You are still at it and awaiting a response.
The past tense implies the action is over and somewhat distant.
I don't think d works.

Why do you think "asked" could work (even if it is not good) while "was asking" doesn't work?

Could you tell me?

 

[kadioguy]

Woman: Well, the reason I ask is that for the next 90 days the Model 201 filters will be on sale for the same price as the Model 200's you're using now, so this would be a good time to change to the newer model.
---
a. the reason I ask
b. the reason I asked
c. the reason I am asking
d. the reason I was asking

I'd use a and c, which give a sense of immediacy. You are still at it and awaiting a response.
The past tense implies the action is over and somewhat distant.
I don't think d works.

I can't think of a reason why (d) doesn't work. Could any members help me with that? :-?

 

[tedmc]

Why do you think "asked" could work (even if it is not good) while "was asking" doesn't work?

The lady could have asked the question on a previous occasion. It is over and done with. Now she is recalling the occasion.

The past continuous tense is used as follows:
1. Interrupted action in the past
2. Specific time as an an interruption
3. Parallel actions
4. Atmosphere
5. Repetition and irritation

In short, it is used in relation to other contexts (1-3) and for certain effects (4-5).
It is not used to refer to a past action per se, as is the case here.
I would usually use the simplest tense that fits a situation, i.e. simple present>>present continuous>>simple past.

Could you tell me?

.

 

[kadioguy]

The lady could have asked the question on a previous occasion. It is over and done with. Now she is recalling the occasion.

I don't understand this part. What do you mean? The conversation is not a recollection. Do you mean if the past continuous tense was used?

 

[tedmc]

I don't understand this part. What do you mean? The conversation is not a recollection. Do you mean if the past continuous tense was used?

Okay, in this case, it was a moment ago that the woman asked. That's why I said you could use the simple past but it's not ideal.

 

[kadioguy]

Okay, in this case, it was a moment ago that the woman asked. That's why I said you could use the simple past but it's not ideal.

So that's why I don't know the reason the simple past could use while the progressive past can't (in your view).

 

[5jj]

a. the reason I ask
b. the reason I asked
c. the reason I am asking
d. the reason I was asking

I think all four are possible.

 

[kadioguy]

a. the reason I ask
b. the reason I asked
c. the reason I am asking
d. the reason I was asking

I think all four are possible.

In the context from post #1?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE at least, you'll often hear the present simple used in the interrogative with "ask".

Helen: Do you have a cat?
Sam: Yes. Why do you ask?
Helen: I just wondered.

Sam could have said "Why are you asking?" or "Why did you ask?" but neither would be as common as "Why do you ask?"

 

[Phaedrus]

While they all work here, it's common to say things like "I ask because..." instead of "I'm asking because...".

Have I understood correctly?

In a book on the English tense system, Renaat Declerck points out that "nonprogressive present tense sentences" are often used to express "a performative speech act." Examples he cites include "I wish you a merry Christmas," "I pronounce you man and wife," and "I declare the meeting closed."

In such sentences, according to Declerck, "a full situation which has a certain restricted duration in the actual world is represented as if it were punctual" (The Grammar of the English Verb Phrase, Mouton de Gruyter, 2006, p. 174).

I think that Declerck's discussion there can be seen to apply such constructions as "The reason I ask is . . ." and "Why do you ask?," the only difference being that the speech act (asking a question) is not performative in the first place. That is, the speaker does not say:

I ask whether you have considered upgrading to the Model 201 filters.

Instead, the speaker simply asks the question, later on specifying the reason for her question, or what she wants her interlocutor to believe to be her reason for asking the question. The question is still "out there," even after the interlocutor gives his initial reply. Her sales pitch is not over. So she comments on her speech act:

The reason I ask [whether you have considered upgrading to the Model 201 filters] is that for the next 90 days the Model 201 filters will be on sale.

 

[kadioguy]

In such sentences, according to Declerck, "a full situation which has a certain restricted duration in the actual word is represented as if it were punctual" (The Grammar of the English Verb Phrase, Mouton de Gruyter, 2006, p. 174).

Thank you, and I think that you mean "world".