Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract
Choosing the right verb tense is essential for clarity and accuracy in your abstract:
1. Present Tense for General Facts
- Use present tense for ongoing facts.
- Describe universally accepted explanations.
2. Past Tense for Completed Research
- Use past tense for research done in the past.
- Include methods, results, and prior studies.
3. Humanities Samples
- Past tense for events or texts from the past.
- Present tense for current interpretations or significance.
4. Science Samples
- Past tense for describing previous research.
- Present tense for the study’s rationale and significance.
5. Tips for Tense Usage
- Present tense for ongoing analysis and significance.
- Past tense for completed research and findings.