Seems versus Seemed

[Emily Meadows]

Hi everyone -

I got this listed as an error in a recent review, and I'm trying to understand the grammar rule behind it. I Googled "seem, seems, and seemed" to try to figure it out myself, but alas - I need help.

Here's what I wrote:
The plot was original and seemed to have been well researched.

Here's what the editor says I should have written:
The plot was original and seems to have been well researched.

This is where it would be lovely to be able to correspond with the person who edited your review - so you can ask and learn (not so you can yell and point fingers, haha).

Thanks!

[Blackstenius]

I think it's so because you are writing the review in the present time, so the form of the word needs to be present instead of past participle.

[MsH2k]

Here's what I wrote:
The plot was original and seemed to have been well researched.

Here's what the editor says I should have written:
The plot was original and seems to have been well researched.

Hi Emily,

The plot was original and seemed to have been well researched.

In this sentence, you have kept the entire sentence in past tense, so “seemed” is appropriate.

The suggested change to “seems” would unnecessarily mix the tenses and would not be advised:
The plot was original and seems to have been well researched.

Similarly, mixing the tenses in this way would also not be advised:
The plot is original and seemed to have been well researched.

This statement from the included link sums it up well:
“If you have two or more time periods, start a new clause or a new sentence.”
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/verb-tense-consistency

[Emily Meadows]

Hi Emily,

The plot was original and seemed to have been well researched.

In this sentence, you have kept the entire sentence in past tense, so “seemed” is appropriate.

The suggested change to “seems” would unnecessarily mix the tenses and would not be advised:
The plot was original and seems to have been well researched.

Similarly, mixing the tenses in this way would also not be advised:
The plot is original and seemed to have been well researched.

This statement from the included link sums it up well:
“If you have two or more time periods, start a new clause or a new sentence.”
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/verb-tense-consistency

This is what I thought, which is why I was trying to learn what I missed. I will look at that grammarly link. Thank you!