This document discusses verb tense and consistency. It explains the three simple tenses - past, present, and future - and provides examples. It emphasizes maintaining the same verb tense within a sentence and story for clarity. Shifting verb tense without reason creates inconsistent verb tense. The document also addresses tense use in essays and fiction writing. It provides examples of correcting inconsistent verb tense and allows for shifting tense in certain contexts like changing time frames.

1. Inconsistent Verb Tense Savanna Johnson Carolyn Hesse

2. Simple Tenses A tense is a verb form that shows the time of an action or condition Verbs have three simple tenses Past Present Future

3. Simple Tense Examples The car door opens easily. The present tense shows that the action occurs now . The car door opened , and the woman stepped out. The past tense shows that the action occurred in the past .

4. Simple Tense Examples The car door will open , and I will jump out. The future tense shows that the action will occur eventually .

5. Tense Shift Once you begin a sentence with a certain verb tense, maintain that tense as long as you are referring to the same period of time. Switching tense without a valid reason creates a problem known as inconsistent verb tense.

6. Keep It Consistent! Remember, keeping tense consistent makes your message clear and creates a nice flow. If you are telling a story that already happened, makes sure all of your verbs are in past tense.

7. Essay Verb Tense Usually, when writing about fictional events, write in the present tense. Incorrect: In chapter three, Huck complained about the Widow Douglas. Correct: In chapter three, Huck complains about the Widow Douglas.

8. Now You Try! Fix the sentence below: I told her that she can come over any time and I will be happy to help her.

9. Corrected Sentence I told her that she could come over any time and I would be happy to help her.

10. Now You Try! Fix the sentence below: When we arrived , we are upset to learn we have missed the party.

11. Corrected Sentence When we arrived , we were upset to learn that we had missed the party.

12. NOTE Certain tenses and modals are usually used together Present tense with can and will and have Past tense with could and would and had

13. Can Inconsistent Verb Tense Ever Be Correct? The answer is yes When there is a shift in time frame different verb tenses can be used For example: When shifting from general description to a specific occasion

14. Example of Mixed Verb Tense Huck Finn is a clever boy who doesn’t like to follow the rules, and as a result, he often gets into trouble. On one occasion, he escaped from Pap’s cabin and ran away to avoid civilization.

15. THE END!!!