Basic verb tenses tell whether action happens in the past, in the present, or in the future. When writing an essay, the writer should
A) avoid writing in the past tense.
B) avoid writing in the present tense.
C) avoid writing in the future tense.
D) avoid shifting tenses.

Question

Basic verb tenses tell whether action happens in the past, in the present, or in the future. When writing an essay, the writer should
A) avoid writing in the past tense.
B) avoid writing in the present tense.
C) avoid writing in the future tense.
D) avoid shifting tenses.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is important to maintain consistency in verb tense throughout an essay, which means avoiding shifting tenses. However, it is generally acceptable to use past tense when discussing events that have already occurred, present tense when discussing things that currently exist or happen regularly, and future tense when discussing things that will happen in the future. So, options A, B, and C are not the best choices.

Basic Verb Tenses Tell Whether Action Happens in the Past