Writing about the Past

Writing about the past in English is made difficult by the rather complex tense system. However, the phrases grouped below give an indication of the uses of the main tenses in academic writing. For a comprehensive explanation of the uses of the various tenses you will need to consult a good English grammar book. A good recommendation is Practical English Usage by Michael Swan, Oxford University Press.

Time phrases associated with the use of the simple past tense: specific times or periods of time in the past

Time phrases associated with the use of the present perfect tense: past and present connected

The present perfect tense may also be used to describe research or scholarly activity that has taken place recently

For reference to single investigations or publications in the past, the simple past tense is used