Wrong Tense or Verb Form:
Unnecessary Shift in Tense
Group 5: Angelica Barragan, Haonan Wang,
Esperanza Mendoza
Common Grammar Error 1:
Wrong Tense or Verb Form
 Definition: Using a verb that does not indicate
clearly when an action or condition is, was or will
be completed.
Example 1
 Incorrect: The windows were broke by a baseball
when mom came back from work.
 Correct: The windows were broken by a baseball
when mom came back from work.
Example 2:
 Incorrect: I am really tired now, I should have
went to bed earlier last night.
 Correct: I am really tired now, I should have gone
to bed earlier last night.
Example 3:
 Incorrect: During the morning news, there was a
man who had drive the car into the tree, last
night.
 Correct: During the morning news, there was a
man who had driven the car into the tree, last
night.
Common Grammar Error 2:
Unnecessary Shift in Tense
 Definition: Shifts in tense at times are appropriate
for indicating the time you are writing and
needing shift in and out of actions you are
describing. But, these unnecessary shifts often
times cause confusion and interrupt the flow of
your writing.
Example 1:
 Incorrect: Dora grabbed her backpack and
swings on a vine.
 Past Tense Correction: Dora grabbed her
backpack and swung on a vine.
 Present Tense Correction: Dora grabs her
backpack and swings on a vine.
Example 2:
 Incorrect: Spongebob made his best friend
Patrick a Kraby Patty and takes it to him.
 Past Tense Correction: Spongebob made his best
friend Patrick a Kraby Patty and took it to him.
 Present Tense Correction: Spongebob makes his
best friend Patrick a Kraby Patty and takes it to
him.
Example 3:
 Incorrect: Tom and Jerry turned their backs to
each other and hold their guns up for a fair dual.
 Past Tense Correction: Tom and Jerry turned their
backs to each other and held their guns up for a
fair dual.
 Present Tense Correction: Tom and Jerry turn their
backs to each other and hold their guns up for a
fair dual.
Writing Strategies
 Sentence Clarity: Depending on the subjects
tense the verb must match that tense. Allow your
flow to be concise to not confuse your audience.
 Detail: Adding details allows you to adjust the
tense you want to perceive in your writing.
 Mechanics: How the parts of speech in writing
function with the rule of grammar.