present in a past-setting narrative

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Anonymous  #539678  Fri, 11 Jul 08 04:36 AM
Hi,
 
I am having trouble getting a firm grasp of the working of putting present-time clauses in a story or narratve that flows in past tenses -- which meant to tell something that has occurred in the past. I know  if something still holds true or if something is a "universal" truth element, then the use of present tenses in midst of all past tenses is fine, I need your help in getting a concrete understanding of application part of it. Can you use some simple examples that might be used in such contexts to show me how it is done?

I went to university in *** and there, I saw this person named John. I have a weakness for an sports star and he was a well-known sports star, known to have won metals in international competitions.
  
26TMNTJG2PG  #539744  Fri, 11 Jul 08 08:15 AM
I went to a university in *** and there, I saw this person named John. I have a weakness for an sports stars and he was is a well-known sports star, one known to have won metals medals in international competitions.

Here are some more examples:-

  • When I reached home from work yesterday, I was introduced to John by my brother. I was glad to learn that John is a person to be relied upon.
  • John did not witness the event that he has described so well in his report, a copy of which was given to me and which I have yet to read.
  
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