Verb Tense Consistency - Lesson

Grammar

 Verb Tense Consistency

Verb Tense

A verb's tense tells WHEN the action takes place.

Past - I ran

Present - I run

Future - I will run

Multiple Choice

I will attend the football game on Saturday.

• Past

• Present

• Future

Multiple Choice

I went to the beach last summer.

• Past

• Present

• Future

Multiple Choice

My mom works at a dentist's office.

• Past

• Present

• Future

Verb Tense Consistency

In sentences, paragraphs, or essays, the tense of the verb should stay the same ---
UNLESS you have a good reason to change it!

Present Tense Paragraph

Past Tense Paragraph

Essays - Use Present Tense when writing about...

• your own ideas

• factual topics

• action in a specific movie, play, or book
  
  
  

​Essays - Use Past Tense when writing about...

​

• ​past events

• ​completed studies or findings,  arguments presented in scientific literature

​Essays - Use Future Tense when writing about...

​

​

• ​an event that will happen in the future

Multiple Choice

During the movie, Sam stood up and then drops his popcorn.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

The wind blows loudly and the rain pours down during a hurricane.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

When Mary walks into the room, everyone will stare.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Verb Tense Consistency

​

​

So what IS a good reason to change (shift) the verb tense in a sentence, paragraph, or essay?

​

Well, if you are describing actions or events that happen at different times, of course!~

​

Be careful with verb tense shifts!

Do not shift the tense of the verb if all the actions in the sentence take place at the same time.

Multiple Choice

Cristina's hair is blond, though it was black last week.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

I packed my suitcase last night because I flew to New York tomorrow.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

After we play soccer, Dad took us out for pizza.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Carmen takes gymnastics on Tuesdays, and now she went on Thursdays instead.

• Correct

• Incorrect