Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
(OP)
I am going to do a training report in which I mention a project I did one year ago. The problem I have is that I am not sure whether present tense should be used. In addition, do I have to add “the” before construction? Pls see the sentence below:
I was involved in a project which comprises/comprised (the) construction of a bridge which is/was a 5 span continuous ………. (Assume that the details of this project is not mentioned before)
I was involved in a project which comprises/comprised (the) construction of a bridge which is/was a 5 span continuous ………. (Assume that the details of this project is not mentioned before)





RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
or "I was ..." if the project had finished.
definitely "the construction".
btw, "Assume that the details of this project" are "not mentioned before" ... plural (details) needs are (not is).
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
Thanks.
How the meaning will change if I just use "construction of the bridge" without "the"...
Just one more question, what is the difference between "I was invloved" and "I am involved". (Note that this project has finished)
HP
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
I am/was involved in a project that comprises/comprised (the) construction of a five-span continuous bridge.
With respect to tense, since the sentence is written in first person, are you personally still involved in the project? If so, then use present tense, and I would not use 'the':
I am involved in a project that comprises construction of a five-span bridge.
If you're no longer part of the project, then I would use past tense and I would include the 'the'.
I was involved in a project that comprised the construction of a five-span bridge.
I cannot give you a reason why I would include the 'the' in past tense but omit it in present tense other than to me, it sounds better.
Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
Without the "the", construction of bridge would sound a bit odd. I'm not sure if it is syntactically correct either. What does the whole sentence say?
The project may have finished but have you been retained as a consultant? If you have, then you are still involved.
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
My two cents.
V
Mechanical Engineer
"When I am working on a problem, I do not think of beauty, but when I've finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
- R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
To the point: if the project is finished, the past tense is a better choice. To my head, using 'the' before 'construction' sounds better.
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
you could sidestep this with a non-inclusive word, like "required", "involved", or more waffly "mainly comprised".
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
If you were just talking to someone, would you say what you wrote in your first post? Probably not.
You don't need to try to use fancy language just because you are writing.
"I was involved in the construction of a five-span bridge."
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
I remember my first email in english, some 10 years ago. Something like "Me wanting buy xxx component to building proYect...". The other guy must have thought I lived in a tree and hunted my lunch with arrows :)
Of course, writting/speaking skills are the first step for a good business, in english and any other languages.
Thanks for helping us writting better!
Gonzalo
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article
i hope you enjoyed your xxx component ... did it involve "snap-on" tools ?? ;)
RE: Past Tense vs Present Tense & Article