C7: Keep Verb Tense Consistent

C7: Keep Verb Tense Consistent: Avoid shifting from one verb tense to another unless there is a good reason for the tense shift.  See Writing for Success Section 2.3 pp. 70-71 or the following: https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/tenseconsistency.htm (scroll down on the website)

Don’t shift from past to present without cause:

As we sat around the campfire, Elmer tells a ghost story.

Correct:

As we sat around the campfire, Elmer told a ghost story.

(Now the tense is consistent in the past).

Don’t shift from present to past without cause:

First, Coco gets in Rico’s car.  Then, she told him how much she loves him.

Correct:

First, Coco gets in Rico’s car.  Then, she tells him how much she loves him.

Don’t shift from future to past without cause:

Incorrect:

By the time Sara turns eighteen, she learned that not every friendly guy is nice.

Correct:

By the time Sara turns eighteen, she will learn that not every friendly guy is nice.

Stay consistent with the chronological cues you provide:

Inconsistent:

Twenty years from now, Carlo and his brothers are running the city.  Just yesterday, I see them wearing brand new Armani suits.  You should see the way everyone looks at them in the place where they were eating.

Consistent:

Twenty years from now, Carlo and his brothers will be running the city.  Just yesterday, I saw them wearing brand new Armani suits.  You should see the way everyone looked at them in the place where they were eating.

Inconsistent:

We learned how, back in 1975, Walter leaves the city to live in the caves on Mount Ord.

Consistent:

We learned how, back in 1975, Walter left the city to live in the caves on Mount Ord.