historical present
The 'historical present' is a narrative technique that uses the present tense to describe past events, creating a sense of immediacy and engagement.
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Definition
C1Narrative Writing
(literary, academic)Using the present tense to describe events that happened in the past to make the story feel more immediate and engaging.
Example
- In his autobiography, he often uses the historical present: 'I walk into the room and see everyone staring at me.'
- The historical present is frequently used in novels to create a sense of action and immediacy.
B2Everyday Conversation
(informal)Using the present tense to talk about past events, often to make the story more engaging.
Example
- She says, 'So I’m at the store, and suddenly I see my old friend from high school.'
- People often use the historical present in storytelling to make their experiences sound more vivid.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "historical present":