APA, Chicago and MLA are the three main referencing systems/writing styles used at Massey. Recommendations they make in relation to verb tenses are summarized below. Implementing these recommendations may be especially important if you are planning to publish work in a journal that requires certain style guidelines to be followed. However, for assignments or theses at Massey, it is important to be guided by any advice your lecturer or supervisor may provide in relation to use of tenses.
Simple past tense
Present perfect tense
Note: A shift of tense may be used to indicate that the research findings are still relevant.
Simple past tense
Present perfect tense
Simple past tense
Simple present tense
Simple past tense
Present perfect tense
Simple present tense
Simple present tense
Simple present tense
Simple present tense
Both Chicago and MLA recommend the use of the simple present tense (e.g. ‘argues’) or present perfect tense (e.g. ‘has argued’) in the following situations:
No matter how long ago the work was published, the present tense is used, and even a deceased author ‘argues’ or ‘claims’.
Simple present tense
Present perfect tense
Simple present tense
Simple present tense
Simple present tense
Note: If the context is clearly historical (rather than textual), use of the past tense is acceptable.
These pages are provided as a guide to proper referencing. Your course, department, school, or institute may prescribe specific conventions, and their recommendations supersede these instructions. If you have questions not covered here, check in the style guide listed above, ask your course coordinator, or ask at Academic Q+A.
Page authorised by Director - Centre for Learner Success
Last updated on 17 November, 2020
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