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Consistent verb tense means the same verb tense is used throughout a sentence or a paragraph. As you write and revise, it is important to use the same verb tense consistently and to avoid shifting from one tense to another unless there is a good reason for the tense shift. In the following box, see whether you notice the difference between a sentence with consistent tense and one with inconsistent tense.
Tip
In some cases, clear communication will call for different tenses. Look at the following example:
Figure 2.6
If the time frame for each action or state is different, a tense shift is appropriate.
Figure 2.7
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