Appear or appeared | The Grammar Exchange

Tony CMember

Hello,

Should I use "appears" or "appeared" in the below sentence.

As briefly discussed, it appears that the debit card transactions were not reflected in the XYZ's 2021 financials.

1/26/224:31 PM

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David, ModeratorModerator

@Tony C posted:
Should I use "appears" or "appeared" in the below sentence.
As briefly discussed, it appears that the debit card transactions were not reflected in the XYZ's 2021 financials.

Hi, Tony—If you want present meaning, use the present tense ("appears"). If you want past meaning, use the past tense ("appeared"). Do you want to talk about a present impression of the transactions or a past impression of them?

Tony CMember

I wanted to use present as this is still the case or the reality, from past till now. So perhaps I should say:

As briefly discussed, it appears that the debit card transactions are not reflected in the XYZ's 2021 financials. What is your view?

Gustavo, Co-ModeratorProfessor of Legal and Financial Translation

Yes, in that case you have to use the present "appears."

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