Transcript Keeping Tense

Keeping Tense
Verb Tense Consistency
Keeping Tense Consistent
in Your Writing
• In writing it is important to keep a consistent
tense. There are three possible ways to write:
• Present Tense – where the action is happening
now. Verbs typically end in “ing”
• Past Tense – where the reader/writer/speaker is
responding to something that happened in the
past. Verbs usually end in “ed”
• Future Tense – where the reader/writer/speaker
is predicting future events or outcomes. Verbs
usually contain linking verbs such as “is” or “will”
Stick to One Tense in
Your Writing
• When writing, the best idea is to
stick to one particular tense. This
makes understanding less difficult
for the reader.
What tense is this?
She is walking south on Main Street.
How do you know?
What Tense is This?
She walked past Star Market and
turned right.
The woman will have to stop and turn
after that.
Switching Tense
The only time you should switch tense
is if you write about past events as
they happened. Writing about past
events are just that - past! It is ok
to switch from present tense to past
tense if that is where the action is.
Opening Sentence
Determines Tense
• When writing, the opening sentence
typically starts the tense of the
entire paper. Exceptions are made
when the writer needs to refer to
past events to clarify understanding
in a current paper.
Which Tense is Each
Sentence?
(1) Tom Hanks is a superb actor with
many awards and nominations.
(2)When in high school, Tom had
hoped to become a Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine. (3)Today, he is
one of the most popular actors in
Hollywood. (Made up story!)