MPC English & Study Skills Center

Consistent Verb Tense

Because verb tense tells the reader about time relationships--past tense shows something happened in the past--switching from one tense (or time) to another can be very confusing to the reader.  Switching from one mood or voice to another can also be confusing. It's important to try to avoid the following switches.

Switching from one tense to another:

Tense tells us about time.  Tense changes are required only when the time of actions changes, so tenses should not switch when there is no time change.

Note: The first verb "went" places this action in the past, and the other actions also happened in the past, not the present.

Note:  The first verb tense, "are working," is in the present progressive tense, showing a present action that is in progress.  "Left" and "lost" switch to the past tense for no reason.

Often it is appropriate to switch tenses, but generally there is a time word or phrase to explain the tense switch.

Note: The first event happened "yesterday," in the past, and the second action is happening "right now," in progress in the present.

Switching from one mood to another:

There are three moods in English.  Most mood errors occur with switches between indicative and imperative.  The imperative is rarely used in academic papers.

Indicative--used for statements or questions (interrogatives)

The executive handled the situation badly.

Do you love me?

She is in a hurry.

What shall I do?

 

Imperative--used for giving orders, directions

Sit down and open your books.

Take the book order to the office.

Turn right at the next corner and stop the car.

 

Subjunctive--used for conditions, wishes,  or contrary-to-fact statements as well as in some "that" clauses

If I were you, I would do things differently. (condition)

I wish I were rich and famous. (wish)

Mary suggested that she finish her work next week. ("that")

Stan acted as if he were the king. (contrary to fact)

The doctor recommended that Sara be examined.  ("that")

Note: "Log in" is in the imperative mood and "should remember" is indicative.  Both verbs should be imperative (or both could be indicative).

Note: "Need" is in the indicative mood and "open" and "take" are in the imperative mood.  Both should be indicative.  Remember, in  academic writing, students should avoid the use of the imperative. 

Switching from active to passive voice:

In the active voice, the subject does the action of the verb.  In the passive voice, the subject does nothing; something else does something to do the subject.

Active--the subject does the action

The man shot the policeman.

The terrorists attacked the World Trade Center.

The student wrote a paper.

 

Passive--the subject does NOT do the action

The policeman was shot by the man.

The World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists.

The paper was written by Thomas.

 

Note: about 85% of the time, passives do not include the "by" phrase, but it's understood that someone or something else did the action. 

The policeman was shot.

The World Trade Center was attacked.

Passives are written with a form of the verb BE and a past participle (was eaten, is heard, were injured, etc.).

Passives are very often used in reporting (the bank was robbed, the man was convicted, the teenager was injured, the man was shot, etc.), but overuse of passives should be avoided in academic writing.

Again, avoid switching between active and passive.

Note:  "Drove is in the active voice, and "was wrecked" is in the passive.

Note:  "Went" is in the active voice, and "was jilted" is in the passive.