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Sun 29 Jul, 2007 07:50 pm
When you are referring to a specific person in a book, do you use the past or the present tense?
In "Gone with the Wind", what is/was the main male character's last name?
I think it is the present tense.
Many thanks.
Either would suffice in normal conversation for this example Yoong Liat, with other examples it can depend on the context.
If you are speaking of having read the book at some time in the past It may be preferable to use was.
"I read (past tense) gone with the wind but do not remember the characters name. What was his name?"
"I am reading (present tense) Gone With The Wind. What is the characters name?"
"What was the name of the man who lived (pased tense) in the house on the corner"
What is the name of the man who lives (Present tense) in the house on the corner
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