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Tense ShiftDo I use the present tense to maintain consistency?Or do I need the past tense instead?

This presentation covers recognizing appropriate verb tenses for a given time frame or context.

A tense shift item on an objective test might look like this . . .

Sample ItemWhen King was a puppy, he chewed toys

and furniture. Now that he is an adult, he

wanted to chew the mail carrier most of all.

iswaswantsNo change is necessary.When King was a puppy, he chewed toys Aand furniture. Now that he is an adult, he Bwanted to chew the mail carrier most of all. C

iswaswantsNo change is necessary.When King was a puppy, he chewed toys Aand furniture. Now that he is an adult, he Bwants to chew the mail carrier most of all. C

iswaswantsNo change is necessary.Is was, is, or wanted in the wrong tense?Wanted should be present tense, a correction option C makes.

Use present/present perfect tense to indicate current/regular action.Jeffrey goes to the gym six days a week where he has gained not only muscle but also discipline.Present tense: verb + s = singular; verb + = plural.Present perfect tense: has or have + past participleI have gained attention from women too!

Jeffrey had lifted free weights for over an hour before someone mentioned the rip in his shorts.Use past perfect to indicate a past action that occurred before another past action.Its a good thing I have cute glutes.Past tense: regular = verb + ed; irregular forms vary.Past perfect tense: had + past participle

Jeffrey was showing off when he tore a muscle in his shoulder.Use progressive tenses to indicate an ongoing action that occurs as another action happens.Progressive tenses: form of be + verb + ingOuch!

When logic permits, you can mix past/present tenses with future.Because he went to the gym today, Jeffrey will reward himself with a triple bacon cheeseburger for lunch. After he weighs himself tomorrow, he will regret the poor food choice. Because I ate badly, I will have to do more crunches at the gym.

Could/would = past tense of can/will.Jeffrey thought he will have enough energy for his workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he cannot complete his training.You would have had the same problem!Jeffrey thought he would have enough energy for his workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he could not complete his training.

Quick TestDirections: In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose No change is necessary.You think youre tough? Show me your tense strength.

Item 1Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her

homegrown strawberries, but she lost them after

the hurricane was knocking out power for eight

days.

frozehad lostknockedNo change is necessary.Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her Ahomegrown strawberries, but she lost them after Bthe hurricane was knocking out power for eight Cdays.

frozehad lostknockedNo change is necessary.Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her Ahomegrown strawberries, but she lost them after Bthe hurricane knocked out power for eight Cdays.

frozehad lostknockedNo change is necessary.

Item 2Because Sammy had been eating all of the chocolate mint ice cream before she got home, Roxanne whacked him over the head.

atewas eatinghad eatenNo change is necessary.Because Sammy had been eating all of the chocolate mint ice cream before she got home, Roxanne whacked him over the head.

atewas eatinghad eatenNo change is necessary.Because Sammy had been eating all of the chocolate mint ice cream before she got home, Roxanne whacked him over the head.

atewas eatinghad eatenNo change is necessary.

Item 3Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but

he cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled in

his curls.

was pawingwas shakingcould notNo change is necessary.Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but A Bhe cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled in Chis curls.

was pawingwas shakingcould notNo change is necessary.Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but A Bhe could not dislodge the giant spider tangled in Chis curls.

was pawingwas shakingcould notNo change is necessary.

Item 4Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it was helping with the high cost of food.

will helpwould helphelpedNo change is necessary.Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it was helping with the high cost of food.

will helpwould helphelpedNo change is necessary.Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it was helping with the high cost of food.

will helpwould helphelpedNo change is necessary.

Item 5When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to

major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldnt change her major fast enough.

had beenwas wantingcannotNo change is necessary.When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to A Bmajor in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldnt change her major fast enough. C

had beenwas wantingcannotNo change is necessary.When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to A Bmajor in biology, but after her first rat dissection,

she couldnt change her major fast enough. C

had beenwas wantingcannotNo change is necessary.

Item 6Everyone is sleeping soundly when Brendan dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone tiles of the kitchen floor.

had been sleepingsleptwould sleepNo change is necessary.Everyone is sleeping soundly when Brendan dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone tiles of the kitchen floor.

had been sleepingsleptwould sleepNo change is necessary.Everyone is sleeping soundly when Brendan dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone tiles of the kitchen floor.

had been sleepingsleptwould sleepNo change is necessary.

Item 7Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing

for their death and burial. Today, however, people

are thinking that such arrangements are morbid

and impolite to discuss.

were spendingthinkwould beNo change is necessary.Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing Afor their death and burial. Today, however, people

are thinking that such arrangements are morbid B Cand impolite to discuss.

were spendingthinkwould beNo change is necessary.Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing Afor their death and burial. Today, however, people

think that such arrangements are morbid B Cand impolite to discuss.

were spendingthinkwould beNo change is necessary.

Item 8When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy road, she leaped out of her car and had carried the reptile to safety at the other side.

was carryingcarriedwill carryNo change is necessary.When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy road, she leaped out of her car and had carried the reptile to safety at the other side.

was carryingcarriedwill carryNo change is necessary.When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy road, she leaped out of her car and had carried the reptile to safety at the other side.

was carryingcarriedwill carryNo change is necessary.

Item 9George Washington believed that he was invincible

in battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that

made him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him,

validating his conviction of invulnerability.

had believedwas ridinghitNo change is necessary.George Washington believed that he was invincible Ain battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that Bmade him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him, Cvalidating his conviction of invulnerability.

had believedwas ridinghitNo change is necessary.George Washington believed that he was invincible Ain battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that Bmade him an easy target, yet no bullet hit him, Cvalidating his conviction of invulnerability.

had believedwas ridinghitNo change is necessary.

Item 10We would have bite marks on our ankles and scratches on our thighs ever since adopting Nelson, our feisty kitten.

hadhavewill haveNo change is necessary.We would have bite marks on our ankles and scratches on our thighs ever since adopting Nelson, our feisty kitten.

hadhavewill haveNo change is necessary.We would have bite marks on our ankles and scratches on our thighs ever since adopting Nelson, our feisty kitten.

hadhavewill haveNo change is necessary.

The End.

*had beenwill bewantsNo change is necessary.*****frozehad lostknockedNo change is necessary.*was pawingwas shakingcould notNo change is necessary.*had beenhad wantedcannotNo change is necessary.*were spendingthinkwould beNo change is necessary.*had believedwas ridinghad hitNo change is necessary.*