Search results for 'tag:Present tenses tag:Essays' matching tags 'Present tenses' and 'Essays'

Re: I am having trouble with the tenses in my essay. Any proof reading help would be appreciated or revisions.

Bushee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:12:40 GMT

You had too many spaces between Leet and ","
My grandmother, Julie Lovins, put everything on the line for her job, including her life. She worked for the Leet Psychiatric Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky, and flew to various locations with Dr. Leet, a psychiatrist, to help patients. Dr. Leet had a contract with the United Mine Workers Psychiatric clinic and needed to check up on patients in many locations. To get to these locations, Dr. Leet flew my grandmother on a small plane. As a traveling social worker, Lovins experienced one devastating plane ride to the Mine Workers Psychiatric Clinic. Little did she know, her brush with death would inspire a disabled mine worker to live his life with a purpose.

You have a few present tenses that would work better with past tenses in the next paragraphs.

Arriving at the clinic, Dr. Leet was rushed to the Emergency Room. As Ms. Lovins started to regain consciousness, she checked up on Dr. Leet. âHe is going to be fine. Itâs amazing he survived with only a broken arm,â said a nurse. Relieved and uninjured, Ms. Lovins remembered what she had come to the clinic to do. âIâm on a mission to help the disabled miners who are suffering,â thought Ms. Lovins. As Ms. Lovins is about to step onto an elevator to the third floor, where the minerâs rooms are located, she noticed a man with a pained expression. Approaching the man, she saw his mangled leg, and smelled the scent of someone about to give up on life. Noticing a photo of his family in his hand, Ms. Lovins asks him about them. The crippled man replies, âThis is my family, but Iâm ashamed that they will not like me anymore because Iâm useless now.â

Not willing to accept this answer, Ms. Lovins told the crippled miner that everyone lives for a purpose. âI put my life on the line today to help save others. Somehow, I survived and have come here to fulfill my purpose for living,â said Ms. Lovins. With a new outlook on life, the crippled miner shot Ms. Lovins a gleaming smile. âYou know what, you are right! My life has a purpose and I still have time to live it,â exclaimed the miner. The miner rushed to his room and called his family. After speaking to his family, the miner once again approaches Ms. Lovins. âI just wantedâ¦wanted you to know that your brush with death todayâ¦. well, has given me the courage to reunite with my family, and to use my experience as a motivation for others.â

I hope I was helpful, Bushee.

Re: I am having trouble with the tenses in my essay. Any proof reading help would be appreciated or revisions.

Bushee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:50:07 GMT

I must admit I couldn't find much at all for errors in your essay, while I did take four years of English in college I don't consider myself a professional. Although this is what I found, you had too many spaces in the first paragraph. and a few present tense's in the fifth paragraph, Hope I helped. Bushee

Life on the Line

           â â¬My grandmother,â â¬Julie Lovins,â â¬put everything on the line for her job,â â¬including her life. â â¬   She worked for the Leet Psychiatric Clinic in Lexington,â â¬Kentucky,â â¬and flew to various locations with Dr.â â¬Leet,â â¬a psychiatrist,â â¬to help patients. â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet had a contract with the United Mine Workers Psychiatric clinic and needed to check up on patients in many locations.  â â¬To get to these locations,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet flew my grandmother on a small plane. â â¬As a traveling social worker,â â¬Lovins experienced one devastating plane ride to the Mine Workers Psychiatric Clinic. â â¬Little did she know,â â¬her brush with death would inspire a disabled mine worker to live his life with a purpose.

           â â¬The spring night,â â¬inâ â¬1960,â â¬was foggy,â â¬and conditions were getting worse. â â¬All of a sudden,â â¬the plane started to wobble,â â¬and gusts of wind came hurling from the east. â â¬Swaying side to side like a ship,â â¬the plane was off balance. â â¬Stooping lower,â â¬the plane dropped. â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet grasped the gasoline tank switch,â â¬but could not get it to connect to the auxiliary tank. â â¬He pumped the gismo,â â¬and gas started running smoothly again. â â¬The plane was back on track to Middlesboro,â â¬or was thought to be.

           â â¬When everything seemed to be alright,â â¬matters got worse. â â¬Beep beep. â â¬The radio station reported,â ââ¬Middlesboro airport is closed due to fierce cross currents.âââ¬ â ââ¬We are going to have to land somewhere soon before we run out of gas,ââ â¬said Julie Lovins. â â¬With this in mind,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet spotted a farmerâs field in which he could land. â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins couldnât stop thinking about getting to her destination,â â¬the Psychiatric Clinic,â â¬where she could help all the patients live better lives.â â¬She was the best known social worker in Kentucky,â â¬known to have an outstanding influence on mentally depressed patients.â â¬ Thud,â â¬screechâ!â¬ â â¬The plane hit telephone wires,â â¬flipped over and then landed in the farmerâs field.  â â¬Thirty minutes later,â â¬a rescue plane came zooming overhead and landed next to the wreckage. â â¬EMS doctors rushed over to the small plane which had imprisoned Ms.â â¬Lovins and Dr.â â¬Leet.

           â â¬Both Ms.â â¬Lovins and Dr.â â¬Leet were unconscious. â â¬One of the EMS doctors vigorously tore open a packet of smelling salt,â â¬and put it under Ms.â â¬Lovinâs nose. â â¬Still in a daze,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins began to wake up.â â¬The doctor carried her to his plane and ran back over to Dr.â â¬Leet. â ââ¬I think this one is going to need to go to the critical care unit ASAP,ââ â¬said one of the accompanying rescuers. â â¬Opening a stretcher,â â¬the EMS doctor rushed over to Dr.â â¬Leet.â ââ¬One,â â¬two,â â¬three,â â¬go,ââ â¬said all the rescuers while lifting Dr.â â¬Leet onto the stretcher. â â¬Frantically,â â¬the squad carried Dr.â â¬Leet onto the plane and off to the clinic they went.

           â â¬Arriving at the clinic,â â¬Dr.â â¬Leet was rushed to the Emergency Room. â â¬As Ms.â â¬Lovins started to regain consciousness,â â¬she checked up on Dr.â â¬Leet. â ââ¬He is going to be fine. â â¬Itâs amazing he survived with only a broken arm,ââ â¬said a nurse.â â¬ Relieved and uninjured,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovinsâ â¬remembered what she had come to the clinic to do. â ââ¬Iâm on a mission to help the disabled miners who are suffering,ââ â¬thought Ms.â â¬Lovins. â â¬As Ms.â â¬Lovins is about to step onto an elevator to the third floor,â â¬where the minerâs rooms are located,â â¬she noticed a man with a pained expression. â â¬Approaching the man,â â¬she sees his mangled leg,â â¬and smells the scent of someone about to give up on life. â â¬Noticing a photo of his family in his hand,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins asked him about them. â â¬The crippled man replied,â ââ¬This is my family,â â¬but Iâm ashamed that they will not like me anymore because Iâm useless now.âââ¬ â

           â â¬Not willing to accept this answer,â â¬Ms.â â¬Lovins tells the crippled miner that everyone lives for a purpose. â ââ¬I put my life on the line today to help save others. â â¬Somehow,â â¬I survived and have come here to fulfill my purpose for living,ââ â¬said Ms.â â¬Lovins. â â¬With a new outlook on life,â â¬the crippled miner shot Ms.â â¬Lovins a gleaming smile. â ââ¬You know what,â â¬you are rightâ!â¬ â â¬My life has a purpose and I still have time to live it,ââ â¬exclaimed the miner. â â¬The miner rushes to his room and calls his family. â â¬After speaking to his family,â â¬the miner once again approaches Ms.â â¬Lovins. â ââ¬I just wantedâ¦wanted you to know that your brush with death todayââ¦â¬.â â¬well,â â¬has given me the courage to reunite with my family,â â¬and to use my experience as a motivation for others.ââ

           â â¬Julie Lovins was willing to do her job no matter what disaster might come along with it. â â¬She almost came face to face with death,â â¬but it did not faze her. â â¬Using what she learned from her experience on the plane ride,â â¬she was able to encourage and reunite the family of a mine worker. â â¬Lovins never regretted putting her life on the line for others.

Re: Fragmented sentences

Delmobile — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:50:56 GMT

Wow, all those posts while I was crafting my wonderful example!

GG, what a hysterical story. I'm sure Grandma was cracking up right along there with you.

Yes, the tense switching back and forth is tricky, but it can be so effective. Many modern authors (at least it seems like many to me) write in ALL present tense, which for some reason I cannot stand. I just can't relax and enjoy the story. But a little dose of it here and there, as GG says, does put you right into the cornstarch-exploding picture.

New2G, be careful - my teenagers frequently get into trouble with their school essays when they can't stay in one tense.

To mention the previous paragraph

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:57:50 GMT

In the essay, when we refer to the previous paragraph, I am not sure if we should use Past tense or Present tense?

Example: In the paragraph2.2 the detail was not covered all design.

Re: tense in literature

Mister Micawber — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 05:24:39 GMT

I think when we write an essay about literature, we use 'present tense' no matter if the literature itself is in past tense

Not at all.
And you are not creating reported speech when writing an essay; you are narrating the story.

Do your example this way:

Ben always remembers his glory in high school: he was a such popular student. Teachers loved him. However, now he is not well-liked by his boss or co-workers.

Having said that, all possible combinations of tenses are probably possible in the course telling about a story in an essay.

tense in literature

MIA6 — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:33:28 GMT

I think when we write an essay about literature, we use 'present tense' no matter if the literature itself is in past tense. But for example, "Ben suddenly recalled his high school life. When he was in the ninth grade, he was very popular. But now, he was not. He was such an ordinary man. No one would notice him." Then, if I want to say his past, should I use past tense to make a contrast with present tense, so that reader will understand which is Ben's past life, and which is his present? Let's say: Ben always remembers his glory in high school, he was/is a such popular student. Teachers loved him/love him. However, now he is not well-liked by his boss or co-workers.

Thanks for help.

Re: Help correcting a college application essay!!!

Feebs11 — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:16:37 GMT

Opod wrote:
The moment I sit [You must decide if this is to be past tense or present tense - you have used both in this one sentence.] in the extremely small burgundy chair, my mind was overtaken by the hefty rocks imbedded in the ceiling. The lights began to dim and our teacher settle us down. A fancy man walked onto the stage, announcing the woman that was going to be performing. A big sparkle came to my eyes as this woman entered the stage. Her dress was the most extravagant thing I had ever seen, but her piano playing was even more magical. The moment she sat down and her fingers made contact with the keys, my heart melted. Her fingers glided across the piano so effortlessly, and I felt like I was the only one in the room. At that moment I fell in love with the piano.

From that day on I begged my mother to let me play. I was King Kong trapped in a small cage waiting to break free, but finally I was let out of the cage. When I was eleven I started taking lessons from my brothers[ brothers' or brother's -depending on whether more than one brother was taught)] former teacher, Beth Carlson. I learned so fast, and everyone told me that I was gifted; I thought it was because I was so old. When I started high school I started taking lessons from someone more experienced, and a little more expensive. I learned so much from this new teacher, every lesson I felt inspired, and like I could do anything.

After taking lessons from this woman for a couple of years, I saw a picture of the woman who inspired me to play the piano in my teacher's living room. I asked her about the picture and she said it was her eight years ago at the Ordway. At that moment I realized that my future teacher had inspired me to learn that wonderful instrument, and inspires me now to play above what I can do [play better and better]

It's well-expressed, but you do need to sort out your tenses.

first time you mention it - CalifJim's quotation

Kooyeen — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:54:14 GMT

Hi,
I wanted to ask about a sentence I saw in one of CalifJim's posts (posted yesterday, I guess). I decided to open a new thread, asking there would have been confusing. The thread is http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageAcceptable/dpnbd/Post.htm and here's the relevant part:

Believer wrote: Friends, here in this auditorium, the change is coming and will come for John and his family and the change that comes will be good and will bring along situational changes where they will be blessed with no want of material goods.

CalifJim wrote: The usage of the is not acceptable there. It's the first time you mention anything about change, so there's no preceding use to which the change could refer. You can say a change or just change there.

The question is: "Is it ok to use a present tense there (...first time you mention...)? And if it's ok, why?"
I know that a present tense after expressions like "the first time" is practically always unnatural, but I feel in this case it's ok. I think it's ok because "mention" has a kind of "present" and "future" meaning:

It's the first time you've mentioned it ---> General. You've never mentioned it. It's the first time.
It's the first time you mention it ----------> I already know you (will) mention it more than once in your essay. It's the first time you (will) mention it in your essay.

Thank you in advance.

tense inconsistency?

Ruttonjee — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 08:07:51 GMT

Hi there,

My teacher gave me comments on my essay. Below are his comments:

This letter was obviously written with the rules of letter structure and paragraphing in mind. It is clearly laid out and well-organised. The paragraphs are balanced and of rougly equal length.

I don't understand why my teacher used past tense in the first sentence whereas present tenses in the second and third sentence. Is it a mistake of tense inconsistency?

simon

Re: please help me to check my essay! grammar,organization,fluency

nona the brit — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:29:20 GMT

It's a bit hard to work out whether you are talking about the current day or the past sometimes, as you often use the present tense of verbs when you should use the past. Go through and check your verb tenses thoroughly.

It's quite hard to follow the timescale of what happened when. I get the impression from your essay that

Taiwan was historically ruled by Japan.

There was a war between Taiwan and Japan that started in 1895 and ended in 1950 with Taiwan winning independence. (Really? A single war 55 years long?)

Then at some point (you don't say when exactly, just 'recently') Japan took over again. But since your parents were born Taiwan has been independent. These two facts seem to contradict each other? I can't work out whether you are saying that Taiwan is currently ruled by Japan or is independent? Or are you saying that Taiwan is now part of China (comment on food coming into China these days).