C1 Advanced Academic language and cohesion
Tenses in academic writing
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can choose the right tense for each section of an academic text instead of using one tense throughout.
When to use it
- Essays, lab reports, research papers and theses.
- Presenting method, results and conclusions by convention.
- Signalling whether you mean earlier research, what you did, or what is always true.
Form
| Section | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| general facts, definitions | present simple | Water boils at 100 degrees. |
| overview of previous research | present perfect | Several studies have shown… |
| a specific study with a date | past simple | Nguyen (2020) found that… |
| the method you carried out | past simple | We tested forty students. |
| the content of your paper, tables and figures | present simple | Table 2 shows… · This paper argues… |
| conclusions, implications | present simple or may | These findings may help… |
Step by step
- Ask: which section does this sentence belong to?
- What you did, with a time reference → past simple.
- A general survey of earlier work with no date → present perfect.
- A fact, your own text, a table → present simple.
Three sentences, three tenses, one paper
| Sentence | Tense | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Several studies have shown a link. | present perfect | overview, no date given |
| Nguyen (2020) found the same effect. | past simple | a specific date |
| We interviewed fifty students. | past simple | finished work |
| Table 2 shows the results. | present simple | talking about the paper itself |
Examples
Water boils at 100 degrees.
Several studies have shown a link between sleep and memory.
The participants completed a questionnaire in March.
Table 2 shows the main findings.
This paper argues that the policy needs revision.
These findings may help teachers plan their lessons.
Common mistakes
In this study, we interview fifty students last year. → In this study, we interviewed fifty students last year.
The method is finished and there is a time marker (last year) → past simple.
Many researchers studied this topic in recent years. → Many researchers have studied this topic in recent years.
in recent years reaches the present → present perfect.
Table 2 showed the results. Figure 3 illustrated the trend. → Table 2 shows the results. Figure 3 illustrates the trend.
Referring to your own text takes the present simple.
Memory tip
A simple rule of thumb: what you did takes the past; your text and general facts take the present; other people's work in general takes the present perfect.
Summary
- Facts, tables and your own text → present simple.
- General survey of earlier work → present perfect; a dated study → past simple.
- Your completed method → past simple.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.