"Lastly, I would like reveal that English is my second language. My parents were both immigrants who spoke minimal English, so I did not speak any English until I was enrolled in elementary school."
Is using "were" for "My parents were both immigrants..." correct? Or should it be "is" since they are still immigrants? Also, should it be "speak" or "spoke"? I am concerned that the "...so I did not speak English until..." will not sound right if I write "My parents are both immigrants who speak minimal English, so I did not speak any English until I was enrolled in elementary school." Any suggestions or changes? Thanks!
2007-09-19 09:20:59 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Oh, I meant, should I use "are" (not "is") in place of "were."
2007-09-19 09:21:55 · update #1
Kathryn, thank you sooo much for point the "to" out, since this is an essay for a school application and I almost submitted it online!!! whew...
2007-09-19 09:36:20 · update #2
You need to include "to" in your first sentence: "Lastly, I would like TO reveal..."
Regarding your question, I think "were" is appropriate because you are using the past tense in the rest of the sentence -- you're looking back on your childhood.
It's a very nicely written paragraph.
2007-09-19 09:33:02 · answer #1 · answered by Kathryn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you use "were" it sounds like your parents are dead, or maybe that they have since learned to speak English well. If either of those are the case, I'd use were/spoke but explain why. If they're still alive and still don't speak English very well (and haven't moved back to their original country), use are/speak. It makes sense with the rest of your sentence, because your situation has changed (past: you didn't speak English, present: you do) while theirs has not (unchanging situation=present).
I would say "until I started elementary school" rather than "enrolled in"--that sounds like you became fluent the day you were signed up.
2007-09-19 16:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is for an essay you mostly want to talk in present tense so for you first example it would be my parents are both immigrants who speak minimal English.
What you put at the end in correct.
2007-09-19 16:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like it just the way it is.
2007-09-19 16:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by mamarat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋