By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    construction analytics
    5 Benefits of Analytics to Manage Commercial Construction
    5 Min Read
    benefits of data analytics for financial industry
    Fascinating Changes Data Analytics Brings to Finance
    7 Min Read
    analyzing big data for its quality and value
    Use this Strategic Approach to Maximize Your Data’s Value
    6 Min Read
    data-driven seo for product pages
    6 Tips for Using Data Analytics for Product Page SEO
    11 Min Read
    big data analytics in business
    5 Ways to Utilize Data Analytics to Grow Your Business
    6 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Present for the past
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
cloud-centric companies using network relocation
Cloud-Centric Companies Discover Benefits & Pitfalls of Network Relocation
Cloud Computing
construction analytics
5 Benefits of Analytics to Manage Commercial Construction
Analytics
database compliance guide
Four Strategies For Effective Database Compliance
Data Management
Digital Security From Weaponized AI
Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI
Security
DevOps on cloud
Optimizing Cost with DevOps on the Cloud
Development
Aa
SmartData Collective
Aa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Business Intelligence > Present for the past
Business Intelligence

Present for the past

Editor SDC
Last updated: 2009/09/15 at 2:19 PM
Editor SDC
5 Min Read
SHARE
- Advertisement -

A question from Sabir Hasan in Saudi Arabia:

I have always been facing a confusion between past and present in some special cases. While going through the headlines of newspapers, I usually come across past events described in present tense. For example if Mr. X passed away, the newspapers describes as: “X passes away”.

- Advertisement -

I can’t understand that how the incident, which has already taken place, is described in present tense?

Gareth Rees:

More Read

Digital Security From Weaponized AI

Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI

10 Ways How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Content Writing Landscape
How IoT Can Be Connected to Business Intelligence
Amazing AI-based Image Upscaler From VanceAI
Actionable Tips To Set Up an AI Tech Venture Abroad

Well Sabir, thank you for your question and I do understand your confusion. It must seem strange that a past event is described with a present tense. However, this is because in this case, the present tense doesn’t relate to the objective time of the event; the newspaper is using the language for a different effect. They are not trying to communicate the time of the event. Instead, they want to make a past event feel more current – feel more present.

The newspaper wants to create a sense of immediacy to their headline. Why does the newspaper …

- Advertisement -

A question from Sabir Hasan in Saudi Arabia:

I have always been facing a confusion between past and present in some special cases. While going through the headlines of newspapers, I usually come across past events described in present tense. For example if Mr. X passed away, the newspapers describes as: “X passes away”.

I can’t understand that how the incident, which has already taken place, is described in present tense?

Gareth Rees:Thank you for your question and I do understand your confusion. It must seem strange that a past event is described with a present tense. However, this is because in this case, the present tense doesn’t relate to the objective time of the event; the newspaper is using the language for a different effect. They are not trying to communicate the time of the event. Instead, they want to make a past event feel more current – feel more present.

- Advertisement -

The newspaper wants to create a sense of immediacy to their headline. Why does the newspaper want this? Well, a newspaper tries to sell fresh news so by using a present tense, when I read the headline, I feel that this story is very fresh or recent.

This use of the present tense to make something feel more immediate or present is also seen in the commentary of sequences of events.

For example, at a football match, we could hear on the radio:
“And Rooney passes to Crouch…Crouch flicks it up in the air – and Rooney heads and scores!”

Well, we might not hear it that often if we’re an England fan, but in that example, the commentator is describing the action using the present tense to make it feel more immediate.

The commentator doesn’t say: “Rooney passed the ball to Crouch, Crouch flicked the ball in the air and Rooney headed the ball into the net.”

- Advertisement -

And another place where we use this is when we tell jokes.

For example:
A chicken goes into a café and asks for a drink of lemonade.
The café owner asks: “Lemonade? What does a chicken want with lemonade?”
The chicken turns around, stands on his head and says ?

Well Sabir, I’m not going to finish the joke for you. You’ll have to tune into the BBC and see if you get to hear the punchline.

That’s all for now… the presenter, puts down his pencil, stands up and leaves the room.

Gareth Rees has been an English language teacher and teacher trainer for over 10 years. He is currently a lecturer at London Metropolitan University and his first course book for English Language learners is due to be published in the near future. (http://www.171english.cn/wordpress/?p=275)

- Advertisement -


Editor SDC September 15, 2009
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Share
- Advertisement -

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

cloud-centric companies using network relocation
Cloud-Centric Companies Discover Benefits & Pitfalls of Network Relocation
Cloud Computing
construction analytics
5 Benefits of Analytics to Manage Commercial Construction
Analytics
database compliance guide
Four Strategies For Effective Database Compliance
Data Management
Digital Security From Weaponized AI
Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI
Security

Stay Connected

1.2k Followers Like
33.7k Followers Follow
222 Followers Pin

You Might also Like

Digital Security From Weaponized AI
Security

Fortifying Enterprise Digital Security Against Hackers Weaponizing AI

11 Min Read
AI-powered content writing tools
Artificial Intelligence

10 Ways How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Content Writing Landscape

8 Min Read
internet of things and business intelligence
Internet of Things

How IoT Can Be Connected to Business Intelligence

6 Min Read
ai improves image upscaling
Artificial Intelligence

Amazing AI-based Image Upscaler From VanceAI

11 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

ai is improving the safety of cars
From Bolts to Bots: How AI Is Fortifying the Automotive Industry
Artificial Intelligence
data-driven web design
5 Great Tips for Using Data Analytics for Website UX
Big Data

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US

© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?