Consistent Verb Tenses

The three verb tenses are past, present, and future; make sure you don’t switch back and forth between them without reason. Some disciplines require the use of one tense; for instance, when analysis of literature must be done in present tense. If you’re not sure, check to make sure you use the proper tense.

Shakespeare is known for his use of dramatic irony, and he used it in many plays to keep the audience’s attention.

This entire sentence should be written in the present tense because it discusses literature.

Shakespeare is known for his use of dramatic irony, and he uses it in many plays to keep the audience’s attention.

Last semester, the professor assigned a lengthy culminating essay in which we have to make mention of all texts read in the course.

Last semester, the professor assigned a lengthy culminating essay in which we had to make mention of all texts read in the course.

Matthew will attend the basketball camp next summer because he received a full scholarship.

This sentence is acceptable because the verb tenses are chronologically compatible. If the paragraph were to continue, though, one verb tense or the other would have to be used. If the writer continued to talk about the basketball camp, the paragraph would be in future tense; if the writer talked about Matthew’s activities which led to the scholarship, the past tense would be used.

The camp will help Matthew hone his skills on the court.

He began playing basketball when he was five and practiced daily for the last two years.

Conditional tenses can be particularly difficult to maintain if the writer isn’t paying close attention.

If the weather would just warm up a little, we can go on a picnic.

If the weather would just warm up a little, we could go on a picnic.