jack112  +  154553 Thu, 03 Nov 05 03:02 AM Scenario: My pal said something earlier about our science experiement and it is happening right now. What tense do I use with right now? Are both of these correct? What do they mean? 1. How did you know that it was going to happen right now? 2. How did you know that it is going to happen right now? Thanks. jack112 Joined on Thu, Jul 22 2004 Regular Member 715 Tenses

	Mister Micawber  +  154558 Thu, 03 Nov 05 03:14 AM Both OK.  Regression in #1; current truth in #2. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,825 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	CalifJim  +  154626 Thu, 03 Nov 05 06:17 AM I would choose the first.  I can't get my brain around the idea that anything with "going to" should be considered a universal or timeless truth. "How did the ancients figure out that the earth is round?" is more the sort of thing I expect with the subordinate clause in the present tense. This may just be a personal preference in my own use of the language. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,458 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Tenses, Clauses, Present Tenses