Today's topic: A frequently asked question about verb tense

Here is a question I hear all the time:  "When referring to source material, should I use past tense or present tense?  Is it always 'Jones stated...' or is it sometimes appropriate to say 'Jones states'?"

We'd all like the answer to be cut and dried, but unfortunately that isn't the case.  As with so many other issues in writing, verb tense depends on context.  Let's start with a concise explanation from the 6th edition APA handbook:

Past tense (e.g., "Smith showed") or present perfect tense (e.g., "researchers have shown") is appropriate for the literature review and the description of the procedure if the discussion is of past events....Use past tense (e.g., "anxiety decreased significantly") to describe the results.  Use the present tense (e.g., "the results of Experiment 2 indicate") to discuss implications of the results and to present the conclusions.  By reporting conclusions in the present tense, you allow readers to join you in deliberating the matter at hand. (pp. 65-66)

So:  Use past tense when reporting on another scholar's research or referring to your own results.  Use present tense to discuss what your findings mean, their implications for practice or further research; as the APA handbook points out, this lends an immediacy to the discussion.

There is another facet to this issue, and that is the present perfect tense (e.g., "has/have shown").  We use the present perfect tense when we're referring either to a.) something that didn't happen at a specific time or b.) something that started in the past but continues to this day.  This actually comes up quite a bit in scholarly writing.

Let's look at an example (used with permission from one of my students who prefers to remain anonymous).  Her paper is about two different learning theories.  The purpose of the section from which I excerpted this passage is to give background information about one learning theory and the ongoing conversation surrounding it.  Given that context, which verb tense works best?

A. Past tense:  There is a general consensus...that nursing education needs to shift from traditional teacher-driven, teacher-centric curricula to student-centric models (Handwerker, 2012; Kantar, 2013; Pettigrew, 2015). Many constructivist learning techniques have been explored and found to be effective means for knowledge acquisition and improving critical thinking skills.  Kantar (2014) stated that graduates must have a body of knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge to effectively transition and problem-solve in clinical practice settings.  Similarly, nurses transitioning to management roles have difficulty assimilating and acquiring the type of education which will help them succeed in their new roles (Omoike et al., 2011).

B. Present perfect tense:  There is a general consensus...that nursing education needs to shift from traditional teacher-driven, teacher-centric curricula to student-centric models (Handwerker, 2012; Kantar, 2013; Pettigrew, 2015). Many constructivist learning techniques have been explored and found to be effective means for knowledge acquisition and improving critical thinking skills.  Kantar (2014) has stated that graduates must have a body of knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge to effectively transition and problem-solve in clinical practice settings.  Similarly, nurses transitioning to management roles have difficulty assimilating and acquiring the type of education which will help them succeed in their new roles (Omoike et al., 2011).

Based on the APA style guidelines above, either past or present perfect tense would be acceptable here. However, I think the present perfect is most appropriate, because she is referring to an ongoing discussion within the discipline. Using the past tense gives the sentence a "this happened and now it's over" feel, and that's not the case here.  Although Kantar wrote that article in 2014, her statement is part of an ongoing discussion.  Also note that the sentences surrounding the one about Kantar are all in the present tense ("there is a general consensus," "nursing education needs to shift," "nurses...have difficulty assimilating and acquiring...").  The present perfect keeps that momentum going.

Now let's look at another example from the same paper, and consider what context tells us about verb tense.  The purpose of this passage is to describe the origin of constructivist theory. Which verb tense is best?

A.  Past tense:  Vygotsky's take on learning was derived from social psychology, where the thinking was that new knowledge and mental frameworks developed as a result of social interaction (Brandon & All, 2010; Dumchin, 2010)....Vygotsky posited that humans were life-long learners who were transformed by social relationships (Brandon & All, 2010; Handwerker, 2012). 

B.  Present perfect tense:  Vygotsky's take on learning was derived from social psychology, where the thinking was that new knowledge and mental frameworks developed as a result of social interaction (Brandon & All, 2010; Dumchin, 2010)....Vygotsky has posited that humans are life-long learners who are transformed by social relationships (Brandon & All, 2010; Handwerker, 2012). 

Here, past tense works best.  Why?  Because the context is a discussion of the origin of constructivist theory.  The theory has been established for years; it is not currently in the process of being invented.  Therefore, it is appropriate to refer to its development in the past tense.

The take-home message here is that when it comes to verb tense, context is everything.  I hope you've found this week's post helpful!  Happy scribbling!