Present tense when talking of the past.

Can I use the present tense (or is there another name when it is used this way?) when talking about a past event? Here is an example, key point being "make".

"Wow, that is so good. What is it?"

"I'm not even sure what to call it -- it's the first time I make it."

Why/why not? Please and thanks!

/////////////////////

No, you cannot use the present tense like that, papamauri.

Perhaps you are confusing it with the present tense of story telling where we relate past events in present tense to make them seem more vivid/real/ exciting.

Hi JTT, thanks for your response. Yes, it is used quite a bit in story-telling. If you don't mind, could you explain if there's a grammatical rule that makes one acceptable and the other incorrect? Or is it more a matter of convention?
Thanks,
M

These are all rules of English grammar, papamauri and they become such through convention - people using language in a certain manner. There are a few other uses of the PS but your use was ungrammatical for English.

It would be grammatical for some other languages and that would be determined by convention, which becomes the rule. Such is the way for all languages.

That's a good q, Papa. Sometimes it's perfectly okay, as in

"I wouldn't say the man lied to his surbordinates yesterday. However, it is clear that he exaggerated the improvements beyond what any leader has a right to," where some might insist on "it was clear." But, after all, it might not have become immediately clear

In the case of "I'm not even sure what to call it -- it's the first time I make it," however, it's pretty clear you're not still making it. However, you could argue there's an implied meaning: "I'm not even sure what to call it when it's the first time I make it." It's the first time I make something when I'm not sure what to call it

Dale: where some might insist on "it was clear.

Those would be idiots who know nothing of English grammar, Dale.

It was clear ... it was clear at the time that he was exaggerating
It is clear ... it is clear now that he was exaggerating

That's true, Con, a very subtle diff. I think the q is, was it okay to use "was" even if it wasn't then but now is

Again context is crucial

What did you make?

Hi papamauri,

according to my knowledge. You have to say "I'm not even sure what to call it. It was the first time I've made it/It was my first time making it"

Someone please confirm. Thanks. RedLily

I will and I can confirm that you gave two excellent examples, Red Lily.

As you have shown with your examples it is experiential and we often use the present perfect to discuss experience.

"It was the first time (in my life that) I've made it/It was my first time making it"

Thanks for confirming my examples JTT.