ELA

Shifting Verb Tense Mid-Paragraph

Students switch from past tense to present tense in the same paragraph even though the time frame has not changed.

Quick check

Why students make it

Students often write the action as they picture it, so an exciting scene can start to feel like it is happening right now. They may also think each sentence can choose its own tense instead of following the paragraph's time frame.

The rule done right

Keep the main verb tense consistent within a paragraph unless the time actually changes. Use past tense for events that already happened and present tense for general truths, current facts, or literary analysis when your teacher expects it.

Related resources

verb-tensegrammarrevision