Miracle reminder text is in-tense!

General forum

Posted on May 6, 2012, 4:53 a.m. by metalmagic

I just realized after looking at the flavor text for Miracle that it uses all 3 basic tenses - future, present, and past (in that order) - to describe how to play it. Just something to mull over for those who find grammar interesting, such as myself.

The words "when" and "may" signify something (possibly) happening in the future. The contraction "it's," or it is, shows present tense. The verb "drew" is in the past tense.

Personally, I think they could have done better not to mix the tenses up. Reading the reminder text is like going into a miniature time machine to the past. And yet another worthless topic by yours truly - metalmagic. It's time for sleep.

metalmagic says... #2

such as I do.*

How silly of me.

May 6, 2012 4:55 a.m.

Vman says... #3

you lost me after you said "3 basic tenses"

May 6, 2012 7:45 a.m.

mafteechr says... #4

How would you have worded it to avoid those problems? Because I think it fits very well considering the actual wording of the rule.

You may cast this card for its miracle cost when you draw it if it's the first card you drew this turn.

702.92a Miracle is a static ability linked to a triggered ability (see rule 603.10). "Miracle [cost]" means "You may reveal this card from your hand as you draw it if it's the first card you've drawn this turn. When you reveal this card this way, you may cast it by paying [cost] rather than its mana cost."

May 6, 2012 10:42 a.m.

metalmagic says... #5

I really have no idea, haha. At least by saying "have drawn" instead of "drew" so that it is in the present perfect tense and agrees with the rest of the subordinate clause. Idk. I just have too much time on my hands to think of things like this, obviously.

May 6, 2012 1:12 p.m.

mistergreen527 says... #6

"While you are drawing this card, you may cast it for its miracle cost if it's the first card that has been drawn by you this turn."

May 6, 2012 1:40 p.m.

metalmagic says... #7

"first card that you have drawn" sounds less awkward, and it is in the active voice this way, which is almost always better to ue than the passive voice. The rest of it sounds fine, I suppose haha.

May 6, 2012 8:01 p.m.