Scientific Writing:

a Verb Tense Review

1 Abstract 2 Introduction 3 Methods
Past Present Past
To talk about actual results. To talk about general To talk about what you did.
Present background information. TIP: passive voice is common.

To talk about general facts, Present Perfect Present

To talk about previous To explain diagrams/figures.
the paper itself or analysis of
research. Ex: Table 1 shows...
findings.

PAST PRESENT
To talk about events that have been completed. To talk about events that are general fact,
Ex1: We found that... discuss current meanings, and suggest future
Ex2: Protocol X was followed. [Passive voice] applications.
Ex1: Insulin and glucagon regulate blood
PRESENT PERFECT glucose levels.
To talk about events that started in past but
Ex2: Increased hormone production
are still ongoing or recently completed.
indicates...
Ex: Many experiments have focused on...

4 Results 5 Discussion 6 Conclusion

Past Present Past
To talk about actual To interpret and talk about To refer to your completed
results. significance of findings. research.
Present Past Present
To explain diagrams/figures. To briefly summarize findings. To talk about implications and
Ex: Table 1 shows... suggest future research.

wordvice.com
Wordvice: Professional • Affordable • Fast
Your one-stop shop for high-quality English proofreading and editing services.
Join thousands of researchers, academics and writers. Let us help maximize your impact!