guzhao67  +  582259 Fri, 31 Oct 08 03:32 PM Hi everyone, I learn that Simple Present Tense is used to express general truth, and Simple Past Tense historical event. But for me, sometimes it's hard to draw a clearcut line between truth and historical event. For example, we say "1921 is in the 20th century". On the other hand, the year 1921 has passed. If we treat the sentence as general truth, can we say "Tobacco is brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh".? The statement is a historical event, but it is true, just as  "1921 is in the 20th century". thank you. guzhao67 Joined on Mon, Oct 20 2008 New Member 41 Simple Present, Tenses, Present Tenses, Simple Past, Past Tenses

	AlpheccaStars  +  582275 Fri, 31 Oct 08 04:03 PM guzhao67 “ "1921 is in the 20th century".>> This statement is true TODAY, it was true in 1921, it will be true in 3010. "Tobacco is brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh".? >>> This statement is NOT true today, because it is not happening today (Sir Walter being long dead). "Tobacco was brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh". >>> This statement is true today, ”   AlpheccaStars Joined on Sun, Oct 12 2008 Senior Member 3,508 The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)

	alda1119  +  582276 Fri, 31 Oct 08 04:05 PM Hope this helps. "Critical Present." Action expressed in critical present: Ernest Hemingway shows his genius even in his early novels. Condition expressed in critical present: Emily Dickinson is a famous nineteenth-century poet. This might not be the answer you are looking for,but I hope it gives you an idea. alda1119 Joined on Fri, Oct 31 2008 Full Member 131 Tenses, Past Tenses

	CalifJim  +  582331 Fri, 31 Oct 08 07:53 PM guzhao67 “to express general truth” The key word is "general".  A general truth is usually a statement that is true at all times and places: A triangle has three sides. 1921 is in the 20th century. 25 is greater than 14.  An elephant is an animal. Water is a liquid at room temperature. The moon goes around the earth.  Other truths are contingent truths.  They are statements of situations that could have been otherwise. Tobacco was brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh. Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. Sputnik was launched in 1958. CJ    CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,447 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Tenses, Past Tenses