Correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense
Key Notes :
1. Understanding Verb Tense
- Verb tenses tell us when an action takes place: past, present, or future.
- Present Tense: Describes actions happening now (e.g., “She writes”).
- Past Tense: Describes actions that happened earlier (e.g., “She wrote”).
- Future Tense: Describes actions that will happen (e.g., “She will write”).
2. What is an Inappropriate Shift?
- An inappropriate shift in verb tense occurs when the tense changes unexpectedly within a sentence or paragraph, causing confusion.
- Example of incorrect shift:
Incorrect: “He goes to the store and bought some snacks.” Correct: “He goes to the store and buys some snacks.”
3. Rules to Avoid Shifts in Tense
- Stay Consistent: Keep the same tense throughout a sentence or passage unless the time of the action changes.
- When to Change Tenses: Shift tense only when the time frame changes (e.g., past to present, or present to future).
- Example:
Incorrect: “I was walking to the store when I see my friend.”
Correct: “I was walking to the store when I saw my friend.”
4. Identifying Shifts in Tense
- Look for verbs that change from one tense to another without a reason.
- Example of an inappropriate shift:
Incorrect: “I study hard and got good grades.”
Correct: “I study hard and get good grades.”
5. How to Correct Shifts
- Rewriting the sentence: Adjust the verb tense to match the action or time frame.
- Check the context: Make sure the time of actions is clear and consistent.
Example:
Incorrect: “Yesterday, I am eating pizza and went to the park.”
Correct: “Yesterday, I ate pizza and went to the park.”
Let’s practice!🖊️
