Avoiding Shifts in Verb Tense

Shifts in Verb Tense

If the actions happen at the same time, avoid shifting from one tense to another.

If the actions happen at different times, a shift in tenses helps communicate the sequence.

INCORRECT: Yesterday, Ms. Price talks about the book and assigned a chapter.

• CORRECT: Yesterday, Ms. Price talked about the book and assigned a chapter. (consistent verb tense = past)

• CORRECT: Yesterday, Ms. Price talked about the book, and she will assign a chapter tomorrow. (inconsistent tense = past & future)

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that avoids an unnecessary shift in verb tense.

• Charles Dickens was a novelist who writes about social conditions.

• Charles Dickens was a novelist who wrote about social conditions.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that avoids an unnecessary shift in verb tense.

• Mr. Micawber gets in financial trouble but believes he can overcome them.

• Mr. Micawber gets in financial trouble but believed he can overcome them.

Multiple Choice

Yesterday I rode the bus to school, but I won't ride the bus today because my dad will drop me off on his way to work.

• necessary

• unnecessary

Multiple Choice

Benny raised his hand and ask the teacher to use the bathroom.

• necessary

• unnecessary

Multiple Choice

At the end of the day, I will be tired, so I am doing my chores now.

• necessary

• unnecessary

Multiple Choice

At tonight's football game, the band will perform the songs they practiced all summer.

• necessary

• unnecessary

Multiple Choice

Sam stood up and drops his pop corn during the movie.

• necessary

• unnecessary

Multiple Choice

I detested math when I was in middle school, but I enjoy it now that I am in high school.

• necessary

• unnecessary