VERB TENSE CONSISTENCY

							 VERB TENSE
CONSISTENCY
 You should NEVER shift tenses in your
  writing needlessly. Always be consistent
  with your verb tense!

 Incorrect: After we were comfortable, we
 begin to do our homework.

 Correct: After we were comfortable, we
 began to do our homework.
Incorrect: Suddenly the great door
opened, and an uninvited guest comes
into the dining hall.

Correct: Suddenly the great door opens,
and an uninvited guest comes into the
dining hall.

Correct: Suddenly the great door
opened, and an uninvited guest came
into the dining hall
PRACTICE

1. He knew he would not get his wish even
   though he (blows, blew) out all his
   birthday candles.

2. Cindy Nicholas was the first woman who
   (swims, swam) the English Channel both
   ways.
3. When the baby sitter raises her voice, the
   children (know, knew) it is time to behave.

4. After we had seen all the exhibits at the
   county fair, we (eat, ate) a snack and then
   (go, went) home.

5. I was very nervous when I (go, went) on
   the ski lift for the first time.
Rewrite the following paragraph TWICE. The first time,
use present tense and the second time, use past tense.
             Remember to stay consistent.

At my grandparents’ house that morning, I wake
up before anyone else and quietly grabbed the
fishing pole and head for the pond. Across the
water, I saw ripples. “I have to catch that fish,” I
say to myself. I threw my lure near where I see
the ripples and reeled in the line. The fish don’t
seem interested. I saw more ripples and throw
the line in the water again. “I’ve got a strike!” I
shout to the trees around me. As I reeled in the
line, a beautiful trout jumps out of the water and
spit out the hook. Discouraged, I go back to the
house. Grandpa was sitting at the table with a
bowl of hot oatmeal for me. I say, “Maybe
tomorrow we’ll have trout for breakfast.”