When writers correct verb shifts, it can be a difficult grammar skill to master. Essentially, writers must be aware of verb tense to maintain clarity in their writing, from the mundane story to the action scene. Likewise, you have to ask yourself a few questions: Are you writing in the present tense or past tense? And if you are unsure, how can you be sure?

Using Past Tense in Stories

Typically, a narrative is written in the past tense because the author is telling a story from a future perspective. The past tense is a natural tense because we often tell stories orally in the same way.

For example: “I went to the park yesterday and saw some of my friends playing a game.

In this example, we can look at words like “went,” “saw,” “said,” and “playing” as indications of tense. The narrator had “gone” to the park, and they “saw” the game. These tenses are correct because they happened in the past. Therefore, they would use the past tense form of the verb.

Though, there are times when verb shifts occur. A verb shift is anytime when a verb is used inappropriately with the surrounding tenses. Here’s an example of tenses being used incorrectly.

Incorrect: I open my Christmas gift and cried because of its beauty.

For the above individual, they seem to open their gift and then cry at the sight of the gift. The writer has to decide whether the action is happening right now, or if the narrator is explaining it somebody after the fact. Remember, context matters.

The correction below assumes that the narrator is discussing the opening of the present to somebody after the fact. Here is the correct change to maintain agreement amongst the tenses.

Correct: I opened my Christmas gift and cried because of its beauty.

Using the Present Tense for Essays

The following rule is messay because it seems wholly unnatural. However, it makes sense as it relates to writers who correct verb shifts once you read it.

“In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy meets the Tin Man and he joins her on her adventure. The Cowardly Lion soon joins them and they head off to the Emerald City together.”

While we might assume that the action of the novel has taken place, it is the present experience that we are writing about, as if we ourselves are telling the story. Therefore, we are in the moment of the telling.

Incorrect: In Chapter 3 of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, Hank Morgan looked at the knights as they came over the hill and swallowed his pride.

Correct: In Chapter 3 of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, Hank Morgan sees knights riding over the hill, and this makes him swallow his pride.

Considering Multiple Tenses

Sometimes, tense shifts are okay, depending on what you are describing.

For example: I once lived in the city of New Orleans for one year, but I still visit their often.

In this sentence, the narrator is harkening back to when they once lived (Past Tense) in a city and are now discussing it in the present tense to say that visiting the city is still happening (Present Tense).

Consider this example as well: I once lived in the city of New Orleans for one year, but I still visit their often, and I will visit the city again one day.

In the above example, we have past tense (once lived), present tense (still visit), and future tense (will visit). In this way, all three tenses are used in the same sentence. Yet, they are referring to different times: past, present, and future.

Tips and Tricks

When choosing verb tense, consider the sequence of the action in your writing. What happens first, second, and third? Once you have decided the sequence, decide whether you are writing in the past (happened), present (happening), or future (will happen). In this way, you have better control of your tenses and the movement of your sentences.

For example: I saw my dog yesterday. He jumped into the lake. The dog will do it again tomorrow. He swam around and barked for joy.

The action here is simple: there is a happy dog that goes swimming and intends to do so the following day. Place these ideas in one clear sequence and decide if you are telling it as a moment that happened, one that is happening, or one that will happen.

In this instance, the past tense seems most appropriate because yesterday implies that it happened already. However, we will need to indicate the future tense as the dog may jump back in the lake.

Example: I saw my dog yesterday, and he jumped into the lake, while swimming around barking for joy; and, he will probably do it again tomorrow.

With a few minor edits and the use of a subordinating conjunction (while), we have maintained tense while also getting a little creative. The narrator “saw” the dog and noted how the dog “jumped” into the lake. Both words are past tense and therefore indicate that the event occurred beforehand. Additionally, the subordinating conjunction “while” ties the proceeding ideas to the timeline, so that the clause that follows “while” is happening at the same time in the past. Lastly, “will probably” indicates a shift to future tense. We might not know if the dog will in fact jump in the lake, but we can suppose.

Conclusion

Knowing what tense your story or essay is in will keep you consistent. Write the tense down in the margin if you must or in your text’s footnotes. That way, when exploring options in revision, you know what resources to seek out. As well, please keep in mind that tenses are tricky and a grammar handbook or a reliable grammar website may be beneficial. Focusing on these issues often as a mode of editing will keep your skills sharp and your tense intact.

Remember: providing clear explanations and descriptions is ideal and using correct verb tense can help you sound like you are a professional in your field.