Wrong Tense or Verb Form: Unnecessary Shift

in TenseGroup 5: Angelica Barragan, Haonan Wang,

Esperanza Mendoza

Common Grammar Error 1: Wrong Tense or Verb FormDefinition: Using a verb that does not indicate

clearly when an action or condition is, was or will be completed.

Example 1 Incorrect: The windows were broke by a

baseball when mom came back from work.

Correct: The windows were broken by a baseball when mom came back from work.

Example 2: Incorrect: I am really tired now, I should have

went to bed earlier last night.

Correct: I am really tired now, I should have gone to bed earlier last night.

Example 3: Incorrect: During the morning news, there was

a man who had drive the car into the tree, last night.

Correct: During the morning news, there was a man who had driven the car into the tree, last night.

Common Grammar Error 2: Unnecessary Shift in TenseDefinition: Shifts in tense at times are

appropriate for indicating the time you are writing and needing shift in and out of actions you are describing. But, these unnecessary shifts often times cause confusion and interrupt the flow of your writing.

Example 1: Incorrect: Dora grabbed her backpack and

swings on a vine.

Past Tense Correction: Dora grabbed her backpack and swung on a vine.

Present Tense Correction: Dora grabs her backpack and swings on a vine.

Example 2: Incorrect: Spongebob made his best friend

Patrick a Kraby Patty and takes it to him.

Past Tense Correction: Spongebob made his best friend Patrick a Kraby Patty and took it to him.

Present Tense Correction: Spongebob makes his best friend Patrick a Kraby Patty and takes it to him.

Example 3: Incorrect: Tom and Jerry turned their backs to

each other and hold their guns up for a fair dual.

Past Tense Correction: Tom and Jerry turned their backs to each other and held their guns up for a fair dual.

Present Tense Correction: Tom and Jerry turn their backs to each other and hold their guns up for a fair dual.

Writing StrategiesSentence Clarity: Depending on the subjects

tense the verb must match that tense. Allow your flow to be concise to not confuse your audience.

Detail: Adding details allows you to adjust the tense you want to perceive in your writing.

Mechanics: How the parts of speech in writing function with the rule of grammar.