Tense Shift Do I use the present tense

Tense Shift Do I use the present tense to maintain consistency? Or do I need the past tense instead?

This presentation covers recognizing appropriate verb tenses for a given time frame or context.

A tense shift item on an objective test might look like this. . .

Sample Item When King was aa puppy, he he chewed toys A and furniture. Now that he is is an an adult, he he B wantedtoto wanted wants tochewthe themailcarriermostofof ofall. CC A. B. C. D. Wanted should be Is was present , is, or wanted tense, in a the is correction option wrong tense? was C makes. wants No change is necessary.

Use present/present perfect tense to indicate current/regular action. Present tense: verb + s = singular; verb + Ø = plural. Present perfect tense: has or have + past participle Jeffrey goes to the gym six days a week where he has gained not only muscle but also discipline. I have gained attention from women too!

Use past perfect to indicate a past action that occurred before another past action. Past tense: regular = verb + ed; irregular forms vary. Past perfect tense: had + past participle Jeffrey had lifted free weights for over an hour before someone mentioned the rip in his shorts. It’s a good thing I have cute glutes.

Use progressive tenses to indicate an ongoing action that occurs as another action happens. Progressive tenses: form of be + verb + ing Jeffrey was showing off when he tore a muscle in his shoulder. Ouch!

When logic permits, you can mix past/present tenses with future. Because he went to the gym today, Jeffrey will reward himself with a triple bacon cheeseburger for lunch. After he weighs himself tomorrow, he will regret the poor food choice. Because I ate badly, I will have to do more crunches at the gym.

Could/would = past tense of can/will. Jeffrey enough energy for his Jeffreythoughthe he would will have enough energy for his workout, butskippingbreakfastmeantthathe he could cannot not completehis histraining. You would have had the same problem!

Quick Test Directions: In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose “No change is necessary. ” You think you’re tough? Show me your tense strength.

Item 1 Aunt Lillian had frozenfourquartsofofher A homegrown strawberries, but she lost them after B the hurricane was knocking knocked knocking out power outpower for eight foreight C C days. A. B. C. D. froze had lost knocked No change is necessary.

Item 2 Because Sammy had been eatingall allofofthe chocolate mint ice cream before she got home, Roxanne whacked him over the head. A. ate B. was eating C. had eaten D. No change is necessary.

Item 3 Carlos pawed at at his hair and shookhis hishead, but A B he cannotnot could dislodge thethe giant spider tangled in in in CC his curls. A. B. C. D. was pawing was shaking could not No change is necessary.

Item 4 Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it was helpingwiththe thehighcostofoffood. A. will help B. would help C. helped D. No change is necessary.

Item 5 When Gretchen was aa freshman, she wantedtoto A B major in biology, but after her first rat dissection, she couldn’tchangeher hermajorfastenough. C A. B. C. D. had been was wanting cannot No changeisisnecessary.

Item 6 Everyone is is sleepingsoundlywhen. Brendan dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone tiles of the kitchen floor. A. had been sleeping B. slept C. would sleep D. No change is necessary.

Item 7 Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing A for their death and burial. Today, however, people think are thinking that such that arrangements sucharrangements are morbid aremorbid B B C C and impolite to discuss. A. B. C. D. were spending think would be No change is necessary.

Item 8 When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy road, she leaped out of her car and had carried the reptile to safety at the other side. A. was carrying B. carried C. will carry D. No change is necessary.

Item 9 George Washington believedthathe hewas wasinvincible A in battle. He rode aa conspicuous white horse that B made him an easy target, yet no bullet hadhim, hit hithim, CC validating his conviction of invulnerability. A. B. C. D. had believed was riding hit No change is necessary.

Item 10 We wouldhavebitemarkson onour ouranklesand scratches on our thighs ever since adopting Nelson, our feisty kitten. A. had B. have C. will have D. No change is necessary.

The End.