1. Verb tense consistency
English Lab
Verb tense consistency

2. Verb tense consistency: the basics
In English, there are only two tenses that are created from only the main verb: simple present and simple past. The other tenses are created with the help of other verbs called auxiliaries. Here is a table showing common verb tenses:
Aspect
Present
Past
Future
Simple
I study
I studied
I will study
Continuous
I am studying
I was studying
I will be studying
Perfect
I have studied
I had studied
I will have studied
Perfect continuous
I have been studying
I had been studying
I will have been studying

3. Verb tense consistency: the rules
All successful writing needs to make use of verb tenses consistently and clearly. Generally speaking, you should use one main tense in each piece of writing. Create changes in the time frame by changing tense while using your main tense as a foundation.

4. Verb tense consistency: the rules
Do not change from one tense to another if the time frame does not change. Example: Yesterday I finished my assignment, and today I started a new one. (= although one event happened yesterday and one happened today, they both happened in the past) Do change tense to show a change in time frame. Example: Paul is very proud of his results, which he worked very hard for. (= Paul is proud now, in the present, because he worked hard in the past)

5. Verb tense consistency: the rules
Past perfect tense requires changes in tense. In English we call it ‘the past of the past.’ It is used when you are describing more than one event in the past, but only if it is unclear which event happened first.
Compare:
The plane left when we got to the airport. (= this sounds like both events happened at the same time)
The plane had already left when we got to the airport. (= this sounds like the plane left before we got to the airport)
In this case, I want to say that the plane left before we got to the airport, therefore I need to use the past perfect so that my meaning is clear.

6. Verb tense consistency: the rules
Conditional tenses have specific rules for changes in tense.
Examples:
Second conditional: If John attended class every day, he would understand his assignments. (if + simple past + would + infinitive)
Third conditional: If I had concentrated better in class, I would not have failed my exam. (if + past perfect + would have + past participle)

7. Verb tense consistency: the rules
Continuous tenses often require changes in tense. Example: As Debbie was walking to university, she dropped her books. It is necessary to change tense here to show the meaning that a shorter action happened at the same time as a longer one.

8. These slides have been adapted from https://owl. english. purdue