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A question about verb tenses on scroll the other day triggered the subject for this newsletter. Writers need to have control and consistency in verb usage, and that includes using correct tense.
Next week's editor will be archgargoyle
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Who’s tense? Oh, verb tense
The man walks to the house. The dog beside him trotted, its tongue hanging out. The house stood silently as it had for over a hundred years. The dog runs to the front door, his tail a fan in the hot air.
The preceding paragraph makes me tense because of the switching of verb tense from present to past to present. Oh, someone said he doesn’t know what I mean. Let’s see if I can explain about verb tense, but not in depth because that would be confusing at this point. The main topic of discussion will be present and past tenses, with just a little information about the others.
First, what is verb tense? Verbs change form to show time. The six main forms are called tenses. We use four principal parts of a verb to create those six tenses: base or present form; past form; present participle; and past participle. The present participle and past participle must always have a helping verb to be used as a verb. Clear as mud, right? In other words, participle forms may be used as other parts of speech, not just verbs in a sentence. That subject is a matter for another time, though.
The six tenses show time from present to past to future. A brief explanation of the six follows. Irregular verbs differ in forms of tenses, and a writer should check a grammar book for the forms of irregular verbs:
Present tense shows action or condition existing at the present time. It uses the base or present form without any helping verb or verbs. The third-person-singular form of the present tense often adds -s or -es to the base form; irregular verbs differ.
Past tense shows action or conditions beginning and ending in the past. The past form of the verb, which is used, doesn’t have any helping verbs.
Future tense involves action or conditions that will begin in the future, that has not yet occurred, using the helping verb will or shall before the base form of the main verb.
Present Pefect Tense uses the helping verb have or has before the past participle of the main verb. This tense shows action that started in the past and continues into the present, or which happened at an indefinite time in the past.
Past Perfect Tense shows action that started in the past and ended before another past action began. The helping word had is used before the past participle of the main verb.
Future Perfect Tense uses the helping verbs will (or shall) and have before the past participle form of the main verb. It shows a future action that will have ended before another begins.
For writing, though, we usually use present tense or past tense for the majority of the exposition or narrative. Not being consistent with verb tenses causes problems.
Present tense is difficult to use effectively. Everything has to be happening in the present, not in the past. Many writers who start using present tense discover they slide into past tense and then perhaps back to present, as in the illustration given earlier. Many readers don’t feel comfortable reading something written in present tense. When a reader doesn’t, then the author has lost his audience.
Most authors use past tense in their work. They and their readers feel more comfortable doing so, sticking to the same tense made easier, too.
Good writing requires the author keep the writing consistent, using either present tense or past tense without switching from one to the other. A few writers are able to write one portion in one tense and another portion in another tense, but it takes a very skilled author to do so effectively and correctly.
An author fails when not writing something that others want to read. A lack of consistency in verb tense causes readers to stop reading because of confusion. Some work on the writer’s part can result in a work that others do want to read and that they can enjoy.
Sources:
1. Notes and lesson plans by Vivian Zabel
2. Writer’s Companion: High School, Prentice Hall
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Words from Our Readers
Janet 
Vivian, I printed your article on working at home to help me enlist my husband's help to keep me on track with my writing schedule. Thanks for the tips!
You always contribute helpful information in your newsletters. Well worth the time to read.
I'm always glad to know if I've helped. Thank you.
GabriellaR45
What a bright wonderful newsletter, Viv ! You hit a home run with this
one :) I particularly appreciate the advice for writers working at home. It's
a keeper ! Warmest best,
Gabriella
Thank you, Gabrilla.
Brother Don
Viv, this is a great issue. I can agree personally with every item you listed, especially the time management issues. Unfortunately, the Texas heat and my health problems ended my two year old woodworking company, but I am considering trying to do some writing as a profession/hobby. I have already run into time management issues and professional conduct and attitude issues. This issue will be helpful, as you have already been helpful to me.
Don Brown
I understand how health problems can change a person's plans and occupation. It's hard to change gears and to in another direction at times. Writing became my profession (pays like a hobby, though) when my health took a nose dive. I'm sure you'll do well with your writing.
C. Gibson
The tips in this newletter are real helpful, even for a younger writer like me. I am in desperate need of a workspace, so maybe I should let my mom read this article!
Everyone needs a workspace, even if it's just a corner of a room, that can be just hers.
DanteMouse
Hi, Vivian,
I hope this isn’t a troublesome question, but it has been on my mind for a while. You see, I’m writing a novel, and let’s just say that once the research was done, I found that in order to be truthful politically correct ideas have to go. Along with that, the story is a little… sad. (We’ll use that word). Okay, so, does a sad, somewhat politically incorrect book have a chance?
Yours truly,
Dantemouse
Truly good writers don't worry about whether or not they are politically correct. They don't go out of their way to slam any one group or to sterotype (which is poor writing anyway), but they don't try to be PC, either.
mousybrown
As usual, this was another informative and fun newsletter. I am so happy you share your experiences and knowledge with us here at WDC!
Thank you, Jean, and thanks to everyone who commented on the Point of View newsletter. I hope I can always help someone.
Until next month, I hope you find that your writing and reading enjoyment increase.
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For Authors: August 09, 2006 Issue [#1192]
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