Verb Tenses Agreement

As a copy editor, one of the most common mistakes I come across is the inconsistency in verb tenses. Ensuring verb tenses agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that every writer must pay attention to. Failure to do so can result in confusion for readers, making it difficult for them to understand the intended message.

Verb tenses agreement refers to the consistency of verb forms used in a sentence or a paragraph. If a sentence starts in the present tense, it must continue in the present tense throughout the sentence. Similarly, if a sentence begins in the past tense, it must follow through in the past tense.

Here are some common verb tense agreement errors and how to fix them:

1. Shifting tense within a sentence: This occurs when a sentence begins in one tense and shifts to another tense. For instance, « She writes articles on different topics, but yesterday she researched about financial planning. » In this case, the sentence starts in present tense (« She writes ») and shifts to past tense (« yesterday she researched »). To fix this, the sentence should be revised to read, « She writes articles on different topics. Yesterday, she researched financial planning. »

2. Inconsistent tense in a paragraph: This error is common in lengthy paragraphs where writers may forget which tense they started with. For example, « John went to the store and bought some groceries. He will drive home and cook dinner. After dinner, he watches a movie. » In this case, the verb tenses shift from past to future to present. To correct this error, the paragraph should be revised to read, « John went to the store and bought some groceries. He drove home and cooked dinner. After dinner, he watched a movie. »

3. Confusing verbs with similar forms: This error occurs when writers use verbs with similar forms but different tenses. For example, « I have been working on this project for two weeks, and now I am completing it. » In this case, the verb « am completing » is in the present continuous tense, whereas the preceding verb « have been working » is in the present perfect continuous tense. To fix this error, the sentence should be revised to read, « I have been working on this project for two weeks, and now I will complete it. »

In conclusion, verb tenses agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that every writer must master. By paying close attention to verb forms, writers can ensure that their writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. As a professional, I always emphasize the importance of verb tense agreement to ensure that the content we put out meets the highest standards of quality.