In academic writing, the choice between using past or present tense can be a complex one, as it depends on the context and purpose of the writing.
In general, past tense is used to describe events that have already occurred, while present tense is used to describe events that are happening now or are still true. However, there are also specific conventions and guidelines that should be followed when using these tenses in academic writing.
One important factor to consider when deciding which tense to use is the focus of the writing. If the writing is primarily concerned with describing past events or research, then past tense is usually the appropriate choice. For example, if you are writing a literature review, you would typically use past tense to describe the studies and findings of other researchers.
On the other hand, if the writing is focused on the current state of a particular subject or field, then present tense may be more appropriate. For example, if you are writing an introduction to a research paper, you might use present tense to describe the current state of the field and the gap in the literature that your research aims to fill.
Another factor to consider is the audience of the writing. If the writing is intended for a general audience, it may be more effective to use present tense, as this can help to make the content more accessible and engaging. However, if the writing is intended for a more specialized audience, such as other researchers in the same field, past tense may be more appropriate, as it can help to convey a sense of authority and objectivity.
Overall, the choice between past and present tense in academic writing depends on the context and purpose of the writing. By considering the focus and audience of the writing, and following established conventions and guidelines, you can effectively use these tenses to convey the appropriate tone and level of detail in your writing.
How to Use Verb Tenses in Academic Writing
Another one: Citation, Documentation of Sources Q. Past perfect continuous used to describe events that began, continued, and ended in the past, emphasising their relevance to a past moment She had been writing a paper all night, and she needed to get some sleep. So there is basically no rule that you follow when writing in past tense, it is a decision you take about what you want to express. If you use verbs such as will or shall then be certain of your certainty! Very good writing practice activity with a fair amount of challenge for all levels. Cheat sheet: Verb tenses in academic writing June 9, 2022 Cheat sheet No time to read? Although English uses an elaborate system of tenses, simple past and simple present are the most common tenses in research papers, supplemented by the present perfect and past perfect.
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If the actions in the sentence or paragraph happen at the same time, you will have to use the same tense for all of them. Incorrect: The study ended suddenly because many of the participants have moved away. To view the individual chapters of the above video, you can either click the 'PLAYLIST' menu item in the above YouTube video and select the chapter from there, or, you can click one of the pictures below and view the individual video on YouTube. The present simple tense is used when an action is happening right now or happens regularly, while the present perfect tense is used for actions that took place in the past and continued to the present time. In English, each of these tenses can take four main aspects: simple, perfect, continuous also known as progressive , and perfect continuous. Any sensible reader of an academic paper understands that the assertions made relate to research conducted at that time and that assertions about the state of the world related to the time and place under consideration in the research. Conflicting findings cannot possibly invalidate your statement in any way, because you simply reported how it actually was.
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