In formal writing, it is important to keep verb tenses consistent so that readers can follow the progress of ideas and arguments easily. In creative writing, verb tenses may be used inconsistently for effect, but in academic writing, it is important to use verb tenses consistently throughout a paper, carefully signaling any necessary shifts in tense. Show
Was, felt, and thrived are past tense; trains and seems are present tense. All of the action in the passage above occurred in the past, so all of the verbs there should be in the past tense.
Choose the specific tense to be used in the essay, paper, or report and then coordinate all other verbs with it.
Sometimes in academic writing, it is necessary to signal to the reader that one event was completed in the past before another past event occurred. This is where the perfect form of verbs can be used (have + verb).
The phrase "by the time" signals that the action in the second clause occurred before the action in the first clause. This kind of signal helps the reader follow any shifts in time. When discussing a specific essay or piece of literature, use the present tense throughout the paper.
To eliminate illogical shifts in tenses, the writer should choose the specific tense to be used in the essay and then coordinate all other verbs with it to reflect future and past events in relation to the chosen tense.
The passage above is full of illogical shifts from the past tense to the present and the future. Since most actions happened in the past, we need to make the verb forms consistent. Here is the revised version of the passage in which the use of the past tense is consistent:
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Incorrect verb tense can cause confusion—readers may not understand when events happened. Inconsistent verb tense (i.e., arbitrary shifts between past and present) can be particularly irritating to the reader, and readers may conclude that you failed to proofread your paper. Unless there is a shift in time frame, maintain the same verb tense.To proofread, lightly underline every verb in the passage and check that it is in the correct tense, especially when narrating past events, as past tense is typically more difficult to maintain.
Note: certain tenses and modals are usually used together:
Learn when it is appropriate to mix verb tenses.
Analyze typical writing in your field to determine typical use and mixing of verb tenses.Preferences can vary. For example, literary criticism is usually written in present tense, whereas the methods section of a lab report is in past tense. Review the grammar rules.Learn which verb tense(s) are typically difficult for you, and proofread specifically for those errors. Keep your purpose in mind as you choose the best tense.
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