1. When you work with verbs and tenses, pay attention to the plural and singular forms of the subjects and objects of your sentences.
Example: Most people have an opinion about religion and politics.
Revised: Many people hold opinions about religion and politics.
“People” refers to more than one person, and in this case, “opinions” is more correctly matched to the plural form of the subject.
2. Don’t mistake the present for the future tense.
Example: We will be collecting litter at Evergreen Park on Saturday.
Revised: We will collect litter at Evergreen Park on Saturday.
The present tense — “we will be collecting” — is incorrect. Remove “be” and change the action verb “collect” to the future tense, which is correct because the event will occur later.
3. Don’t move from the past to the present tense.
Example: I drove to my appointment, watching for falling flurries along the way.
Revised: I drove to my appointment and watched for falling flurries along the way.
The corrected, properly matched verbs and tenses don’t make us wonder if we’re in the past or in the present.
4. Don’t use the present tense when you should use the past tense.
Example: While clawing my way to the top of Mount Everest, I was dodging frostbite as I was suffering from aching muscles.
Revised: As I clawed my way to the top of Mount Everest, I dodged frostbite while my muscles ached.
Again, we avoid the awkwardness of mismatched tenses.
5. Don’t use the wrong verb tense.
Example: Joe’s scrapbook of old photos were memorable.
Revised: Joe’s scrapbook of old photos was memorable.
The first sentence with these verbs and tenses would make more sense if the subject (“scrapbook”) was plural.
Quotes
“A tense trap is not a trap that makes you tense; it’s when you get stuck in past tense when the phenomena you are describing is perpetual or at least valid to the present moment.” ~ Daily Writing Tips
“The past is always tense, the future perfect.” ~ Zadie Smith
Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.
Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com
