Today\u2019s episode comes from 2 questions students submitted about grammar.<\/p>\n
For all the strategies you need for IELTS, sign up for our IELTS course<\/a>!<\/p>\n I have a grammar question: I\u2019ve been reading transcripts from the How to Save a Planet podcast when I came across this sentence: <\/p>\n It starts back before we even knew who would be president. <\/p>\n So my question is why the verb \u201cStart\u201d is conjugated in the present simple? <\/p>\n Because when I saw back before, I automatically thought it should be in the past. <\/p>\n Could you please shed some light on that, and what\u2019s the rule ? Thank u guys so much for all the perfect lessons and tips. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n I have a question. <\/p>\n There are occasions that we use present tense to talk about the past for example we say: <\/p>\n \u201cI heard you can\u2019t come to my party\u201d or when we change the tense to describe an exciting event. <\/p>\n Is it ok if we do this in speaking and general writing task 1 or is it considered grammatically wrong? <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We do use the present tense sometimes when talking about the past.<\/p>\n It\u2019s called the historical present.<\/p>\n It is grammatically accurate, but is only appropriate for informal speaking.<\/p>\n It shouldn\u2019t be used for Writing.<\/p>\n We use this in stories and jokes.<\/p>\n It describes a snapshot in time.<\/p>\n You can definitely use this on IELTS Speaking.<\/p>\n It is a native, natural way to recall stories from the past.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an interesting way to begin Speaking Part 2 answers.<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m eating lunch the other day with a friend, and someone near us starts choking!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 100% Score Increase Guarantee with our Insider Method<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Are you ready to move past IELTS and move forward with your life vision?<\/strong><\/p>\n Find out why our strategies are the most powerful in the IELTS world.<\/strong><\/p>\n When you use our Insider Method you avoid the BIGGEST MISTAKES that most students make on IELTS.<\/strong><\/p>\n Click here to get a score increase on IELTS. It\u2019s 100% guaranteed.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Whenever you use the historical present, past simple would also be correct.<\/p>\n I ate lunch with a friend last week, and someone near us choked!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Past continuous would also work in this case.<\/p>\n I was eating lunch with a friend last week, when someone started choking!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This is one of the reasons we don\u2019t recommend you focus on grammar.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need complex grammar forms.<\/p>\n Instead, a mix of sentences can get you the variety of grammar structures required.<\/p>\n You usually can\u2019t choose which verb tense you want to use.<\/p>\n There is almost always one that is required depending on context.<\/p>\n This is one exception!<\/p>\n When recalling a story, you can choose past tense or historical present.<\/p>\n This is used more informally when someone is speaking.<\/p>\n It is not appropriate for IELTS Writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n It also would be complicated to use it, and you want to keep it simple!<\/p>\n Your grammar score isn\u2019t improved by using fancy, impressive grammar forms.<\/p>\n As long as you have that variety of grammar structures<\/a>, you can get 7+ on the grammar score.<\/p>\n The historical present is a grammatically accurate way to speak about the past.<\/p>\n It is a native, natural way to tell a story in an interesting way<\/a>.<\/p>\n Notably, it should be reserved for the Speaking exam.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s tips can help you know how to use it when answering Speaking questions.<\/a><\/p>\n It will be most useful for Speaking Part 1 <\/a>and Part 2, when discussing people or events and telling a story.<\/p>\n For more strategies for every part of the exam, sign up for 3 Keys IELTS.<\/a><\/p>\n You can also take our free 2-minute quiz<\/a> to find out what you would get on the exam today!<\/p>\nQuestion #1<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Question #2<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What is the historical present?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
When do we use historical present?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Strategies Created By a Former Examiner<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Would past simple also work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Is this grammar necessary for IELTS?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Should the historical present be used for IELTS essays?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Takeaway<\/strong><\/h3>\n