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Grammar Bytes!, ©2012 by Robin L.

Simmons.

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 a puppy, he chewed toys

and furniture. Now that he is an adult, he

wanted to chew the mail carrier most of all.

A. isB. wasC. wantsD. No change is necessary.

When King was a puppy, he chewed toys Aand furniture. Now that he is an adult, he Bwanted to chew the mail carrier most of all. C


When King was a puppy, he chewed toys Aand furniture. Now that he is an adult, he Bwants to chew the mail carrier most of all. C


Is was, is, or wanted in the wrong tense?

Wanted should be present

tense, a correction option

C makes.

Use present/present perfect tense to indicate current/regular action.

Jeffrey goes to the gym six days a week where he has gained not only muscle but also discipline.

Present tense: verb + s = singular; verb + Ø = plural.Present perfect tense: has or have + past participle

I have gained attention from women too!

Jeffrey had lifted free weights for over an hour before someone mentioned the rip in his shorts.

Use past perfect to indicate a past action that occurred before another past action.

It’s a good thing I have

cute glutes.

Past tense: regular = verb + ed; irregular forms vary.Past perfect tense: had + past participle

Jeffrey was showing off when he tore a muscle in his shoulder.

Use progressive tenses to indicate an ongoing action that occurs as another action happens.

Progressive tenses: form of be + verb + ing

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 thought he will have enough energy for his workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he cannot complete his training.

You would have had the

same problem!

Jeffrey thought he will have enough energy for his workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he cannot complete his training.

Jeffrey thought he would have enough energy for his workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he could not complete his training.

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 frozen four quarts of her

homegrown strawberries, but she lost them after

the hurricane was knocking out power for eight

days.

A. frozeB. had lostC. knockedD. No change is necessary.

Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her Ahomegrown strawberries, but she lost them after Bthe hurricane was knocking out power for eight Cdays.


Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her Ahomegrown strawberries, but she lost them after Bthe hurricane knocked out power for eight Cdays.


Item 2

Because Sammy had been eating all of the chocolate mint ice cream before she got home, Roxanne whacked him over the head.

A. ateB. was eatingC. had eatenD. No change is necessary.





Item 3

Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but

he cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled in

his curls.

A. was pawingB. was shakingC. could notD. No change is necessary.

Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but A Bhe cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled in Chis curls.


Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but A Bhe could not dislodge the giant spider tangled in Chis curls.


Item 4

Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it was helping with the high cost of food.

A. will helpB. would helpC. helpedD. No change is necessary.





Item 5

When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to

major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldn’t change her major fast enough.

A. had beenB. was wantingC. cannotD. No change is necessary.

When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to A Bmajor in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldn’t change her major fast enough. C


When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to A Bmajor in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldn’t change her major fast enough. C


Item 6

Everyone is sleeping soundly when Brendan dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone tiles of the kitchen floor.

A. had been sleepingB. sleptC. would sleepD. No change is necessary.





Item 7

Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing

for their death and burial. Today, however, people

are thinking that such arrangements are morbid

and impolite to discuss.

A. were spendingB. thinkC. would beD. No change is necessary.

Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing Afor their death and burial. Today, however, people

are thinking that such arrangements are morbid B Cand impolite to discuss.


Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing Afor their death and burial. Today, however, people

think that such arrangements are morbid B Cand impolite to discuss.


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 carryingB. carriedC. will carryD. No change is necessary.





Item 9

George Washington believed that he was invincible

in battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that

made him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him,

validating his conviction of invulnerability.

A. had believedB. was ridingC. hitD. No change is necessary.

George Washington believed that he was invincible Ain battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that Bmade him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him, Cvalidating his conviction of invulnerability.


George Washington believed that he was invincible Ain battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that Bmade him an easy target, yet no bullet hit him, Cvalidating his conviction of invulnerability.


Item 10

We would have bite marks on our ankles and scratches on our thighs ever since adopting Nelson, our feisty kitten.

A. hadB. haveC. will haveD. No change is necessary.





The End.

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