Recognizing Shifts in Verb Tense

The video tutorial explains the importance of verb tense consistency in writing. It begins by illustrating how mismatched verb tenses can create confusion, using examples like 'I went to the baseball game tomorrow.' The tutorial then outlines common verb tenses and the concept of tense shifts, which occur when verb tenses change within a sentence or paragraph, leading to reader confusion. It emphasizes the need for consistency, advising that verbs should match the time of the action. The video provides examples and practice exercises to help viewers identify and correct inappropriate tense shifts, ensuring clarity in writing.

Why is the sentence 'I went to the baseball game tomorrow' considered confusing?

• The verb tense and time reference do not match.

• It lacks a subject.

• The sentence is too short.

• It uses too many words.

Which of the following is NOT a common verb tense?

• Present continuous tense

• Past perfect tense

• Future perfect tense

• Past tense

What is a tense shift?

• A change from one verb tense to another within a sentence or paragraph.

• A change in the subject of a sentence.

• A change in the object of a sentence.

• A change in the sentence structure.

How can you avoid inappropriate shifts in verb tense?

• By using only past tense verbs.

• By ensuring all verbs match the time of the action.

• By using only future tense verbs.

• By avoiding the use of verbs altogether.

In the sentence 'The students will write about the trips they took over the summer,' why is there no tense shift?

• Because both actions happen in the future.

• Because both actions happen in the past.

• Because the actions happen at different times.

• Because the sentence is too short.

In the sentence 'Sadie bakes my birthday cake and then I opened my present,' how can the verb shift be corrected?

• Change 'opened' to 'open'.

• Change 'bakes' to 'bake'.

• Change 'bakes' to 'baked'.

• Change 'opened' to 'opens'.

What should you do if actions in a sentence happen at the same time?

• Use different tenses for each action.

• Use the same tense for all actions.

• Avoid using verbs.

• Use only future tense verbs.