1. Recognizing Shifts in Verb Tense and person

2. Recognizing Shifts in Tense

3. Checking for complete Sentences
First, make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb.
The football players moved down the field and pass the ball promptly.
players
moved
pass
It has a subject and a verb, so it is a clause. a n d

4. Checking for complete Sentences
Second, make sure each sentence can stand alone.
The football players moved down the field and pass the ball promptly.
players
moved
pass
moved
It does stand alone, so it is a complete sentence.
players a n d
pass

5. Checking for complete and correct Sentences
Third, make sure verbs do not have an inappropriate shift in verb tense.
One verb is in the past tense, and the other is in the present tense. ed
The football players moved down the field and pass the ball promptly.
players
moved
pass
moved
Let’s make them consistent.
players a n d
pass
passed

6. Recognizing Shifts in Person

7. Pick the correct verb choice
I, with my twenty-seventh bridesmaid, (want wants) to see the movie again.
Remember the prepositional phrases do not determine the verb.
Crossing them out can help ensure you have made the correct verb choice. I
want
Now that 27th bridesmaid is not there to confuse you.