Definition and Examples of Tense Shifts in English

In English grammar, tense shift refers to the change from one verb tense to another (usually from past to present, or vice versa) within a sentence or paragraph. A writer may temporarily shift from past tense to present tense in order to enhance the vividness of a narrative account. In prescriptive grammar, writers are cautioned to avoid unnecessary  shifts in tense. Unmotivated shifts between present and past may obscure meaning and confuse readers. Examples and Observations The bridge was still open then, and I was up there one day mowing the grass alongside the road, just minding my own business, when I see something moving out of the corner of my eye. —C.J. Fisher, The Legend of Diadamia. AuthorHouse, 2005Staring rigidly up at it, Justin is listening to her joyous protestations at his right side. Dizzy from travel, laden with last-minute hand luggage, the two of them have minutes earlier arrived here from London for the first time. —John le Carrà ©, The Constant Gardener. Hodder Stoughton, 2001 Gliding From One Tense to Another It is possible to glide from one tense to another in the course of one sentence, but the key to doing it is always to be in control, to know what you are doing, what effect you are hoping to achieve.   In The Literary Review (February 2006), Francis King comments with admiration on how D.J. Taylor in his novel Kept frequently shifts gears from past tense to present to tauten a scene. And in an essay Glitches (Granta 27), John Gregory Dunne writes: Off the road there was what appeared to be a reviewing stand, and I sat there for a few moments, taking in the museum and the cold blue Sunday sky, taking stock, what to do, what to do next, Id really hate to cancel dinner tonight . . . Im breathing normally now, its OK A-OK, I wont even tell my wife, nor Tim, especially not Tim, I feel fit as a fiddle now. He wasnt though, but thats another story, told by his wife, Joan Didion, in The Year of Magical Thinking. Just notice the tense shift. —Carmel Bird, Writing The Story Of Your Life. HarperCollins, 2007 The Effect of Tense Shift in A Tale of Two Cities A Tale of Two Cities [by Charles Dickens] has a tense shift at a great moment of the story. After the trial and after Sydney Carton has taken the place of Charles Darnay in jail, the drugged Darnay and his family are fleeing in the stagecoach from Paris. Suddenly we find that the story is in the present tense. This adds vividness and excitement and here marks a peak which encodes part of the notional structure denouement of the story. —Robert E. Longacre, The Grammar of Discourse, 2nd ed. Plenum Press, 1996 Legitimate Tense Shifts Sometimes writers shift from past to present tense when telling a story to add vividness to the events.  This legitimate  tense shift is  a literary device called the historical present. It is familiar to readers of epic poetry, but people also use it when relating everyday anecdotes: I was walking down Delancey Street the other day when a guy comes up to me and asks me for the time. —(The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style. Houghton Mifflin, 2005) Usage Tips: Avoiding Needless Tense Shifts What is an example of an unmotivated shift in tense in writing? One example is starting a story in past tense and suddenly shifting into present tense:Last week I was walking along a street when this man walks up to me and says . . .We do this in speech all the time, but in formal writing its considered to be an error. —Edward L. Smith and Stephen A. Bernhardt, Writing At Work: Professional Writing Skills for People on the Job. NTC Publishing, 1997)Tense places the action of the verb in time: Today I go. Yesterday I went. Tomorrow I will go. Different verbs in a sentence or paragraph may logically use different tenses to reflect actions at different times.We will play tennis before we eat breakfast but after we have had our coffee.The tense you select to describe most of the actions in your paper is called the governing tense. Once you establish it, do not use another tense without a good reason. . . .The literary present tense is used to describe literature or art. If you use it, do so consistently. —Toby Fulwiler and Alan R. Hayakawa, The Blair Handbook. Prentice Hall, 2003It is common practice to analyze literary works in present tense. Thus, you would write, Pearl is a difficult child rather than Pearl was a difficult child in an analysis of Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. If you are quoting a critic who has used a past tense verb in a particular sentence, you may change the tense of the critics verb by typing the tense you wish to use in square brackets. This bracketed change of tense avoids an awkward verb tense shift in your text.As a general rule of thumb, however, avoid changing the tense of verbs in the text of a literary work you are analyzing. —Linda Smoak Schwartz, The Wadsworth Guide to MLA Documentation, 2nd ed. Wadsworth, 2011

Positive Communication and Its Effect on Interpersonal...

Abstract This paper provides information about what positive communication is and the effect it has on interpersonal relationships. Positive Communication and Its Effect on Interpersonal Relationships The more effectively people communicate with their significant other, the more satisfying and successful their relationship will be. Most people will agree that in order to have a successful relationship it requires positive and effective communication. What is positive communication? Bill Mansell, President of MindPerk Inc. states that â€Å"positive relationships can mean the difference between success or failure in our business, family and personal life. And, communication is the key to these relationships.† Mansell shares ten steps†¦show more content†¦Negotiation means sometimes bending to meet your partner half way, coming to a happy medium, or agreeing to disagree. Not every conflict will have a resolution primarily because both partners come from different backgrounds, cultures and families. Through positive communication a couple should be able to agree to disagree when not able to negotiate. Sometimes couples encounter differences in decisions in which compromise is not possible. Rosenblatt and Rieks define compromise as, â€Å"a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions.† â€Å"In couple relationships one partner’s self-interests may conflict with the interests of the other. Some times, conflict may be resolved through concessions at the expense of one’s own immediate self-interests for the interest of the partner or relationship, but then the concession may be made with the expectation that the partner will make comparable concessions in the future.† (Rosenblatt amp; Rieks, 2009). Remember that your relationship is a two way street and therefore, your communication should be as well. You cannot have an effective relationship if your motto is, â€Å"my way or the highway.† Finally, positive communication includes honesty. We should not only be honest to and about one another, but to and about ourselves. Even though we think the truth may hurt ourShow MoreRelatedInterpersonal Communication And The Workplace946 Words   |  4 PagesInterpersonal communication in the workplace is developed positively or negatively on the individual relationships we have combined with our human behaviors and human actions within each of those relationships. 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Oppression and Religious Extremism in Margaret †MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Oppression and Religious Extremism in Margaret. Answer: Introduction: The story of the Wuthering Heights is one of the greatest love stories of all the time by Emily Bronte. The context of the story is based on the 18th century and the theme of the same is more than one. The popularity and the greatness of the story lie in the depiction of its storyline along with the unfolding of the plot. The basic theme of the story is the love and revenge which is prevalent in all the stories from the same century. The underlying themes of the story similarly attract the attention of the readers. From the secondary themes, the most predominant themes are the gothic and patriarchal nature of the story. A deep and thorough reading of the story will enable the reader to understand the theme and the tone of the same. However, the following essay discusses the patriarchal oppression on the female sexuality as exposed in the story. The Wuthering Heights is basically a portrayal of the romantic values, but the reflection of the patriarchal values are predominant in the story and goes on oppressing the feminine expression in the story. The male protagonist of the story is the Heathcliff, who is the major projector of the masculine oppression and on the other hand another important male character, Edgar Linton is another portrayer of the patriarchal thought. The portrayal of the patriarchal nature of the male characters is majorly prevalent in Heathcliff who is seen taking revenge on his lost love Catherine. The action and the motive of Heathcliff reflect the violence and revenge in his nature (Tufan 2016). On the other hand, Linton depicts the patriarchal though his idealization of the social class and status. The action of the male protagonist of the story can be mentioned as the tyrannical dictatorship of the character (Petkovi? 2012). However, it must be noted that the violent and revengeful nature of Heathcli ff is not seen at the beginning of the story and it is the consequences of the unfair behavior towards him that made him a character with patriarchal oppression. On the other hand, Edgar is different from Heathcliff in his projection of patriarchy. The upbringing of Edgar is the reason the behind the characterization of him. The stereotypical and patriarchal social condition of the contemporary society is the driving cause that has made the second male protagonist after Heathcliff, the dominator of the female urge and desire. There are several female characters in the story including Catherine. The oppression of the patriarchal nature of the females is evident from the depiction of the character of Catherine with the progress of the story. Catherine is the female protagonist of the story who is the love interest of Heathcliff. But stereotypical nature and the predominance of the masculinity in the contemporary society have forced Catherine to marry Edgar who is another fine example of patriarchy (Petkovi? 2012). From the narration of the author of the Wuthering Heights, it is evident that the status and the standards of the women in the society were determined by the authority of the males. Akcesme (2017) stated that Catherine was forced to choose domesticity with an organic connection with a civilized society, limiting herself to the male-defined female roles as the follower and the carrier of the patriarchal culture. The entire of the male in the society was wild and violent and definitely oppressive on the females. In fact, the female wilderness was dominated by the patriarchal reflective nature and Catherine is the appropriate and fine example of the same. Catherine was forcefully transformed by the patriarchal dominance of Edgar. In this regard, Nelly describes the transformation of the female protagonist of the novel as from a wild, hatless little savage to quite a beauty a lady now, which is not only the demonstration of the physical appearance of Catherine, but also an important indication of her arrival into the adult world (Tufan 2016). The dominant and patriarchal nature of Edgar and the prevalence of the same on Catherine mark the cause for the transformatio n of her in terms o the socially correct behavior and appearance. On the return of Heathcliff, he finds Catherine as a completely changed woman. In this regard, the author says: Instead of a wild, hatless little savage jumping into the house, and rushing to squeeze us all breathless, there 'lighted from a handsome black pony a very dignified person, with brown ringlets falling from the cover of a feathered beaver, and a long cloth habit, which she was obliged to hold up with both hands that she might sail in. (Bront, 2008) Edgar is the symbolic and perfect representation of the contemporary society which stereotypes the woman sexuality and dominated them. The socially correct behavior was the requirement of the male-dominated society for the women in the same. The values of Edgar mirrored in Catherine after their marriage as the result of the dominance of the masculinity in the contemporary society. Catherine herself admitted that she has gone through a vast and deep transformation in marrying Edgar. After the return of Heathcliff, Catherine says him, If you wash your face, and brush your hair, it will be alright. But you are so dirty, which is a sharp contradiction to the childhood values of her. The transformation of Catherine proves the predominance of the patriarchal thoughts and ideologies in the contemporary society (Tufan 2016). The impact of the patriarchal constraints of Edgar Linton projects a strong effect on Catherine and as the result of the effect Catherine is found to be the victim of the constraints (Petkovi? 2012). The social and mental condition of her symbolises the imprisonment of her within the social stricture an d values. On the return of Heathcliff, the oppression of the patriarchy from the side of Edgar is increased as the male ego is hurt by the reincarnation of the relationship of Catherine and Heathcliff. The relationship of Heathcliff and Catherine was suppressed once Heathcliff is gone and Edgar and Catherine are married. On the return of Heathcliff the patriarchal dominance of Edgar is increased and resulted in the frustration and anger on Catherine. Catherines wild nature is changed due to the social requirements of the correct behaviour of the women in terms of the social acceptance of the feminine nature. On the other hand, the portrayal of the Heathcliffs nature refers to the violence and tyrannical aspect of the patriarchal society of the contemporary age. Heathcliff must be marked as the most influential characters of all in the novel. The projection of the patriarchal nature in Heathcliff is evident from his vengeful and oppressive activities with the other characters in the story. Here also, the outcome of the oppressive nature of Heathcliff is due to loss of his lady love, Catherine. The Heathcliff is the major and strong reflection of the male dominance in the novel as he is violent as well as revengeful. The demonstration of the patriarchal dominance in terms of Heathcliff proves the ethicality of the same in the contemporary society. Heathcliff presents various aspects of the patriarchy such as the ego, selfishness, tyranny, violence, dominance and others. The tyrannical nature of Heathcliff on Catherine is another distressing matter for her. The courtship of Heathcliff and Catherine presets the typical trapped situation of Catherine. In addition, the love relationship of Catharine and Heathcliff is the reason that made Heathcliff shows his resentment and the selfish nature as the result of the patriarchal values of the society (Tufan 2016). The tyrannical nature was the predominant of all the patriarchal aspects within Heathcliff. Catherine was the constant sufferer of the tortures of her love interest both emotionally and physically. The loving nature of the father of Catherine on Heathcliff makes him dominative on Catherine. However, Heathcliff did love Catherine, but the values of the patriarchal society were such deeply rooted within him that behaved with an oppressive and dominative nature on Catherine (Akc esme 2017). To a certain extent the tyrannical and dominant nature of Heathcliff is the reason for which Catherine agreed to marry Edgar Linton. Catherine became the silent sufferer of the emotional torture of Heathcliff which drove her to marry Edgar. The loving, sophisticated and gentle nature of her father made Catherine a victim to the oppressive nature of Heathcliff and Edgar. In this regard, it can be said that the nature of Heathcliff is the strong and sharp contradiction with the nature of the father of the Catharine. The abusive nature of Heathcliff forces Catherine to oppress the native nature of her. In addition, the male dominance of Heathcliff, as well as the society, forces Catherine to take part in the hopeless predicament through the torture of her individualism. On the other hand, Isabella is another fool who became the victim of the abusive nature of Heathcliff. Heathcliff is cunning enough along with his selfish nature to employ the gravest expression of his patriarchal thoughts and nature over Isabella. The love of Heathcliff for Isabella was genuine but the marriage was a trap for her in which she was entangled. Isabella believed Heathcliff and agrees to marry him, but the inner motive of Heathcliff was to take revenge on Catherine as he thought she betrayed her. Here Heathcliff says to Catherine while she is jealous of Isabella for being kissed by Heathcliff: What is it to you?" he growled. "I have a right to kiss her, if she chooses, and you have no right to object. I am notyour husband:youneedn't be jealous of me!" (11.45) (Bront, 2008) Isabella became the victim of the patriarchal dominance unknowingly. Heathcliff due to the patriarchal oppressive nature of the society, took Isabella taken for granted as the wife. Isabella though not physically abused by Heathcliff, was emotionally tortured by him. Therefore, the cruelty of the male protagonist of the novel as well as the other male characters symbolises the inner brutality of the contemporary society. The Handmaid Tale is another perfect depiction of the male dominated society. The society of Gilead is presented here in the story of The Handmaid Tale which reflects the miserable and distressing situation of the women of the esteemed society. The society is well constructed with the dominance of the male and the oppression of female in the same (Haghi et al. 2016). The characterization of Offred is the perfect representation of the condition of the women in the male dominated society. The handmaid is basically the maid servant who is also bound to serve the purpose of the sexual entertainment to the owners. In the chosen story, Offred is a handmaid who is forced by the owner of the house to provide sexual pleasure to the husband of the owner. This is a strong indication of the patriarchal impact on the female sexuality as well as o the society. The condition and status o the women in the society of Gilead refer to the confinement of the same within the social norms determined by th e males of the society (Kouhestani 2012). Not only the narrator is confined to the pathetic and suffocated situation of the society, but also the women of higher class are equally the sufferer of the same. The commander couple who are the owners of Offred is playing the role of the dominator in the in the social context of Gilead. However, the wife of the commander, despite her belonging to the upper class, is the equal sufferer of the insulting and oppressive outcome of the social norms. The situation of Offred is pathetic because not only she is forced to have sexual relationship with the owner of the house, but also she is unable to meet her love. The personal values of the handmaid are buried by the patriarchal social values. The male domination is evident and clear from the treatment of the commander with Offred in terms of the social control and the class division. However, as stated above the class always did not ease the situation of the women in the society. Gilead is the perfect representation of the dystopian society of contemporary age. Atwood has succeeded in her narration of the male dominated society in which the female sexuality is oppressed profusely. The female characters of the Gilead are symbolization of the dystopian world which is the reflection of the appropriate patriarchal society (Haghi et al. 2016). At the same time, Offred is the mouthpiece of the author who is again the narrator of the story. The story depicts such a society which objectif ies the women as well as their bodies as the material for sexual pleasures (Kouhestani 2012). The Handmaid Tale is one of the good models of the docile society which demonstrates the complexities of both the women and their bodies. The submission of the female sexuality created conflicts within the character of Offred and she says: My nakedness is strange to me already. [...] Did I really wear bathing suits, at the beach? I did, without thought, among men, without caring that my legs, my arms, my thighs and back were on display, could be seen. Shameful, immodest. I avoid looking down at my body, not so much because it's shameful or immodest but because I don't want to see it. I don't want to look at something that determines me so completely. (12.4) (Atwood 1985) Therefore, the above discourse concludes that the dominance of the patriarchal nature and ideologies are evident in the characterisation in Wuthering Heights. Emily Bronte has perfectly presented the social condition of the women under the oppression of the males. The essay makes it evident that the patriarchal nature of the men is deep rooted within them. Emily Bronte has created the male characters of the story as the perfect representatives of the male dominated society. The author has successfully portrayed the characters with different shades which enable them to represent the abusive and negative nature of the society. At the same time, the distressed condition of the females in the society is the result of the patriarchal outcome of the social norms and structure. On the other hand, Atwood also depicts the pathetic condition of the female in terms of the sexuality as the result of the patriarchal dominance. The narrator tactfully used the female protagonist, Offred as the mout hpiece of her and the symbolization of the victimized women in the society. The Handmaids Tale by Atwood not only presents the face of the patriarchal society but also portrays the dirty and tyrannical nature of the same. The domination of the women by the male power removes the mask of the sophistication from people of the upper class and shows the real face of the same. However, the Wuthering Heights is the representation of the dominance of the women in terms of the socially correct behaviour and the emotional torture. But The Handmaids Tale is the reflection of the suppression of the female sexuality by the prevalence of the patriarchy. Reference: Akcesme, Banu. "Fighting Back Against the Encroachment of Patriarchal Power on Female Domains in Wuthering Heights."International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature6, no. 5 (2017): 27-40. Atwood, Margaret. "The Handmaids Tale. 1985."New York: Anchor(1998): 317-21. Bront, Emily.Wuthering heights. Ignatius Press, 2008. Haghi, Samira, Mahmood Reza Ghorban Sabbagh, and Zohreh Taebi Noghondari. "Representation of Female Body in the Social Context of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale." (2016). Kouhestani, Maryam. "Sexual Oppression and Religious Extremism in Margaret Atwood's the Handmaid's Tale."International Proceedings of Economics Development and Research56 (2012): 129. Petkovi?, Danijela. "Captive Bodies: Victorian Construction of Femininity in Wuthering Heights and the Crimson Petal and the White."Gender Studies11, no. Supplement (2012): 74-90. Tufan, Zeynep. "Womens Education in Inchbalds A Simple Story and Bronts Wuthering Heights: Feminist Consciousness, Desire and the Cult of Sensibility." Master's thesis, 2016.