Note: This tip was requested by a follower over on Twitter (Aug. 3, 2023 Update: RIP little bird). Copy editors, please step in to add tips if you have them!
Keeping verb tenses consistent and in agreement is a common struggle, especially in early drafts. There’s no quick fix, but here are a few ways to help build awareness.
As you start drafting, decide which tense you want the primary narrative to be in and be conscious of this as you write.
If this is a frequent issue in your writing, you may need to study each verb you use and its tenses until you strengthen your skill. (I enjoy highlighting in different colors for different issues so I can see where the inconsistency is happening.)
Ask: When a tense shifted, did something in the sentence indicate or allow for that shift? If not, there’s a problem.
See the following example:
EXAMPLE
Kayleigh ATE dinner and READS her book.
We have past (ate) and present (reads)tenses. No good. We can fix this in one of two ways:
- Kayleigh ATE dinner and READ her book.
- Kayleigh ATE dinner and now sheREADS/IS READING her book.
“Now she” was a simple clue to help the reader understand the change in tense. Readers need such clues at the start and at the end of a shift, especially those that are longer and more complicated, whether it’s a memory, a flash forward, etc.
EXAMPLE
Kayleigh IS READING her book. Later, she WILL realize she FORGOT her tea, but for now she IS lost in the pages.
These two sentences have multiple shifts, with clues like “later” and “for now” helping the reader to keep up.
How do you start to identify and fix inconsistencies in your own work?
Mindfulness and practice.
Find exercises online to help you to build skills in identifying and fixing verb tense issues.
Remember as you write and revise your story to be conscious (mindful) of your weaknesses. Pay attention to your verb choices and question their consistency.
You should also read your work out loud—slowly!
It can be easier to pick up on an unusual shift when we hear the words out loud, rather than read them on the page. You can also try recording yourself and listening to it if you still struggle.