Verb Tense Shifts © One Stop Teacher Shop If the pink gorilla eats watermelon every night, how much watermelons does he eat? © One Stop Teacher Shop

What is a verb tense shift? A verb tense shift is a shift in time. For example, from present to past, or past to future tense. Sometimes such shifts make perfect sense, as when one describes an event that takes place before another event: Example: At the first Fall concert, the chorus will sing a few songs that they learned over the summer. future tense past tense © One Stop Teacher Shop

Oops! Sometimes writers slip up and shift tenses when there should be no shift, as in the following examples. © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: The football team was good, and is still improving. Correct: The football team is good, and is still improving. © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: Last semester, I had more homework in math than I have in all my other classes combined. Correct: Last semester, I had more homework in math than in all my other classes combined. © One Stop Teacher Shop

How can we keep this from happening? One way to avoid inappropriate shifts in verb tense is to visualize the actions described: Does one event really occur before another, or are they happening at the same time? Apply this strategy in the following examples. © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: The suit didn't fit me; it is too small. Correct: The suit doesn't fit me; it is too small. (the suit continues not to fit) © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: Though I admired her persistence, I cannot tolerate her bad sportsmanship. Correct: Though I admire her persistence, I cannot tolerate her bad sportsmanship. (I continue to admire her persistence) © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: The wind died down and the waves roll gently. If the pink gorilla eats watermelon every night, how much watermelons does he eat? Incorrect: The wind died down and the waves roll gently. Correct: The wind died down and the waves rolled gently. (“and" suggests actions are happening at the same time.) © One Stop Teacher Shop

Example Incorrect: I liked him because he always says what he thinks. Correct: I like him because he always says what he thinks. (I continue to like him) © One Stop Teacher Shop