The switching of the present tense in describing the past
I've noticed that native speakers of English will still use the present tense when they reminisce or talk of the past. How do you decide you want to switch the "present for past" button on or off?

I have a hunch that this is going to be a tough one. But don't you just love to explore your inner world as I do when I come across a tough question regarding Mandarin learning?

Many thanks to you in advance. ^_^

Question

The switching of the present tense in describing the past
I've noticed that native speakers of English will still use the present tense when they reminisce or talk of the past. How do you decide you want to switch the "present for past" button on or off?

I have a hunch that this is going to be a tough one. But don't you just love to explore your inner world as I do when I come across a tough question regarding Mandarin learning?

Many thanks to you in advance. ^_^

Answer

Austin, I wish you had provided an example. It would have made an answer much more easy.I have looked at this question several times, and each time I have tried to come up with an example of what you have said in my head, but I have not been able to do it. Personally, I don't know of the phenomenon you described. I have never heard it before.

Answers · 1

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