Thread: Do you record your dreams in present tense or past tense?

I'm wondering if you record your dreams in present or past tense. If you don't know, this is what present tense would look like:

I walk to the park and sit on the bench.

Past tense would look like this:

I walked to the park and sat on the bench.

Well at least I'm pretty sure, unless there are some crazy rules in English I haven't learned...

I recorded almost all my dreams in past tense because they happened "last night," but now I'm wondering which is better in your opinion. I think I personally am switching to present tense because it is better for reliving the dream, and makes the dream a little funnier in a way since you can express your thoughts better. How about you?

most of the time I record my dreams in past tense. However there are times where I use present tense to record them. Because of this I voted for the slight lean towards past tense.

D.G.

I do both, but I lean toward present tense. I'll often explain surroundings in past tense, but actions in present tense. I don't ever think about it when I'm journaling though.

Originally Posted by John11

I do both, but I lean toward present tense. I'll often explain surroundings in past tense, but actions in present tense. I don't ever think about it when I'm journaling though.

Ditto for Dexter.

I normally do it in past tense, which is how I voted.

Now that you mention it though, I might switch to present since it does seem better for recalling the feelings of the dream later, and isn't that the whole point?

Strictly present tense. It helps me rehearse the dream.