Lesson 3

[SonofPeverel]

Lesson 3


Consistent Verb Tense

One problem many writers have is that they change verb tenses in the middle of an essay for no real reason. These writers are all over the place, switching from past, to present, to future. It is imperative that a writer keep a consistent verb tense throughout their work.

Your choice of verb tense tells your reader the time you are writing about. For example, If you were writing an essay about what you plan to do tomorrow, you would use future tense because the actions you are describing haven’t happened yet.

The best way to check the consistency of the verbs in an essay is to review every verb in every sentence until this becomes 2nd nature.

For this assignment please write an essay (at least 1 page with normal size font) that describes something from your childhood. Try to choose something that would be entertaining to the reader. Remember, the essay should be consistently past tense.
When finished PM your essay to a class professor.
DUE February 11th, 2012
EDIT: 500th post!!!

Students Completed
NekoGenijalan
Maximinus Thrax
Ngugi
Mega Tortas de Bodemloze
HeirofAlexander
Dark Storm

[StealthFox]

Here are a few links for additional reading/examples for anyone that might need them.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sequence.htm
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01/
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/tenses.html
http://studentaffairs.case.edu/educa...ar/tense1.html
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/sentence/tense.htm

[NekoGenijalan]

This probably is the most stupid question you'll ever hear. Does past tense include past simple, past continuous, past perfect... Or only past simple. Guys please don't laugh. Sometimes I need more clarification about certain assignments.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

...Gulp!!....I'm scaredzzzz....

[NekoGenijalan]

...Gulp!!....I'm scaredzzzz....

Well, I can expect this .

[Legio]

This probably is the most stupid question you'll ever hear. Does past tense include past simple, past continuous, past perfect... Or only past simple. Guys please don't laugh. Sometimes I need more clarification about certain assignments.

An excellent question. Yes, there are different aspects in every tense; "I was walking to the store", "I walked to the store", "I had walked to the store", etc. Go for it!

[SonofPeverel]

^this
All are fine

[SonofPeverel]

Work due tomorrow muhahah

[Heiro de Bodemloze]

"nanana nananana"

*Removes the earphones and look around*

"You said something teacher?"

[SonofPeverel]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Legio]

I am furious.

[Dark Storm]

How many hours have I left of this?

[Legio]

Fourteen; I am going by Eastern Standard Time.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Remember, the essay should be consistently past tense.

Da little kid in the back row raises his hand..."But it don't gots to be entirely in da past tense...ite?....just ask'in. Well alittle late for rewrite's anyhow." {At least for us limited internet access types anyhow...}

[Legio]

One problem many writers have is that they change verb tenses in the middle of an essay for no real reason. These writers are all over the place, switching from past, to present, to future. It is imperative that a writer keep a consistent verb tense throughout their work.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

The kid in the back row slumps down in his chair and rubs his face with both hands. Barley audible as the faintest of whispers he mutters to himself...

Yeah right...easy for you to say...

[StealthFox]

Just so people don't get the wrong idea, there is nothing wrong with changing verb tense if it is appropriate. The problem is, people sometimes do not use the correct verb tense, and, as the assignment says, change verb tense for no reason. Just because this assignment calls for the past tense, doesn't mean that you can't change tense in other essays or even mid sentence (see below). Generally, essays (especially on history) use the past tense, as it happened in the past, but there are always exceptions for every rule and there may be times where you may need a different tense. I just want to make the point that consistent verb tense in the English language is not a rigid rule.

Example:

Yesterday I had (past) a sandwich for lunch, but tomorrow I will have (future) a salad.

[Heiro de Bodemloze]

I want my name on the blackboard!! I submitted mine in time!!

[Ngugi]

One problem many writers have is that they change verb tenses in the middle of an essay for no real reason. These writers are all over the place, switching from past, to present, to future.

[SonofPeverel]

I want my name on the blackboard!! I submitted mine in time!!

Don't worry you are good.