1. chomp!
chomp!
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.

2. Tense ShiftTense ShiftTense ShiftTense Shift
Do I use the
present tense
to maintain
consistency?
Do I use the
present tense
to maintain
consistency?
Or do I need
the past
tense instead?
Or do I need
the past
tense instead?

3. This presentation
covers recognizing
appropriate verb
tenses for a given
time frame or
context.
This presentation
covers recognizing
appropriate verb
tenses for a given
time frame or
context.

4. A tense shift item on anA tense shift item on an
objective test might lookobjective test might look
like thislike this .. .. ..

5. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
When King was a puppy, he chewed toysWhen King was a puppy, he chewed toys
and furniture. Now that he is an adult, heand furniture. Now that he is an adult, he
wanted to chew the mail carrier most of all.wanted to chew the mail carrier most of all.
A.A.isis
B.B.waswas
C.C.wantswants
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When KingWhen King waswas a puppy, he chewed toysa puppy, he chewed toys
AA
and furniture. Now that heand furniture. Now that he isis an adult, hean adult, he
BB
wantedwanted to chew the mail carrier most of all.to chew the mail carrier most of all.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.waswas
C.C.wantswants
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When KingWhen King waswas a puppy, he chewed toysa puppy, he chewed toys
AA
and furniture. Now that heand furniture. Now that he isis an adult, hean adult, he
BB
wantswants to chew the mail carrier most of all.to chew the mail carrier most of all.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.waswas
C.C.wantswants
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is was, is, or
wanted in the
wrong tense?
Is was, is, or
wanted in the
wrong tense?
Wanted should
be present
tense, a
correction option
C makes.
Wanted should
be present
tense, a
correction option
C makes.

6. UseUse present/present perfectpresent/present perfect tense totense to
indicate current/regular action.indicate current/regular action.
UseUse present/present perfectpresent/present perfect tense totense to
indicate current/regular action.indicate current/regular action.
JeffreyJeffrey goesgoes to the gym six days a week where heto the gym six days a week where he
has gainedhas gained not only muscle but also discipline.not only muscle but also discipline.
Present tense:Present tense: verbverb ++ ss = singular;= singular; verbverb ++ ØØ ==
plural.plural.
Present perfect tense:Present perfect tense: hashas oror havehave ++ pastpast
participleparticiple
I have gained
attention from
women too!
I have gained
attention from
women too!

7. JeffreyJeffrey had liftedhad lifted free weights for over an hourfree weights for over an hour
before someonebefore someone mentionedmentioned the rip in histhe rip in his
shorts.shorts.
UseUse past perfectpast perfect to indicate a pastto indicate a past
action that occurred before anotheraction that occurred before another
pastpast action.action.
UseUse past perfectpast perfect to indicate a pastto indicate a past
action that occurred before anotheraction that occurred before another
pastpast action.action.
It’s a good
thing I have
cute
glutes.
It’s a good
thing I have
cute
glutes.
Past tense:Past tense: regular =regular = verbverb ++ eded; irregular forms; irregular forms
vary.vary.
Past perfect tense:Past perfect tense: hadhad ++ past participlepast participle

8. JeffreyJeffrey was showingwas showing off when he tore a muscleoff when he tore a muscle
in his shoulder.in his shoulder.
UseUse progressive tensesprogressive tenses to indicateto indicate
an ongoing action that occurs asan ongoing action that occurs as
another action happens.another action happens.
UseUse progressive tensesprogressive tenses to indicateto indicate
an ongoing action that occurs asan ongoing action that occurs as
another action happens.another action happens.
Progressive tenses:Progressive tenses: form ofform of bebe ++ verbverb ++ inging
Ouch!Ouch!

9. When logic permits, you can mixWhen logic permits, you can mix
past/presentpast/present tenses withtenses with futurefuture..
When logic permits, you can mixWhen logic permits, you can mix
past/presentpast/present tenses withtenses with futurefuture..
Because heBecause he wentwent to the gym today, Jeffreyto the gym today, Jeffrey willwill
rewardreward himself with a triple bacon cheeseburger forhimself with a triple bacon cheeseburger for
lunch. After helunch. After he weighsweighs himself tomorrow, hehimself tomorrow, he willwill
regretregret the poor food choice.the poor food choice.
Because I ate
badly, I will have
to do more crunches
at the gym.
Because I ate
badly, I will have
to do more crunches
at the gym.

10. Could/wouldCould/would = past tense of= past tense of
can/willcan/will..
Could/wouldCould/would = past tense of= past tense of
can/willcan/will..
Jeffrey thought he will have enough energy for hisJeffrey thought he will have enough energy for his
workout, but skipping breakfast meant that he cannotworkout, but skipping breakfast meant that he cannot
complete his training.complete his training.
You would
have had the
same
problem!
You would
have had the
same
problem!
Jeffrey thought heJeffrey thought he wouldwould have enough energy for hishave enough energy for his
workout, but skipping breakfast meant that heworkout, but skipping breakfast meant that he couldcould notnot
complete his training.complete his training.

11. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in thethe option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, chooseunderlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”
You think you’re
tough? Show
me your tense
strength.
You think you’re
tough? Show
me your tense
strength.

12. Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
Aunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of herAunt Lillian had frozen four quarts of her
homegrown strawberries, but she lost them afterhomegrown strawberries, but she lost them after
the hurricane was knocking out power for eightthe hurricane was knocking out power for eight
days.days.
A.A.frozefroze
B.B.had losthad lost
C.C.knockedknocked
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Aunt LillianAunt Lillian had frozenhad frozen four quarts of herfour quarts of her
AA
homegrown strawberries, but shehomegrown strawberries, but she lostlost them afterthem after
BB
the hurricanethe hurricane was knockingwas knocking out power for eightout power for eight
CC
days.days.
A.A.frozefroze
B.B.had losthad lost
C.C.knockedknocked
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Aunt LillianAunt Lillian had frozenhad frozen four quarts of herfour quarts of her
AA
homegrown strawberries, but shehomegrown strawberries, but she lostlost them afterthem after
BB
the hurricanethe hurricane knockedknocked out power for eightout power for eight
CC
days.days.
A.A.frozefroze
B.B.had losthad lost
C.C.knockedknocked
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

13. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
Because Sammy had been eating all of theBecause Sammy had been eating all of the
chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,
Roxanne whacked him over the head.Roxanne whacked him over the head.
A.A.ateate
B.B.was eatingwas eating
C.C.had eatenhad eaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Because SammyBecause Sammy had been eatinghad been eating all of theall of the
chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,
Roxanne whacked him over the head.Roxanne whacked him over the head.
A.A.ateate
B.B.was eatingwas eating
C.C.had eatenhad eaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Because SammyBecause Sammy had been eatinghad been eating all of theall of the
chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,chocolate mint ice cream before she got home,
Roxanne whacked him over the head.Roxanne whacked him over the head.
A.A.ateate
B.B.was eatingwas eating
C.C.had eatenhad eaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

14. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
Carlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, butCarlos pawed at his hair and shook his head, but
he cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled inhe cannot dislodge the giant spider tangled in
his curls.his curls.
A.A.was pawingwas pawing
B.B.was shakingwas shaking
C.C.could notcould not
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
CarlosCarlos pawedpawed at his hair andat his hair and shookshook his head, buthis head, but
AA BB
hehe cannotcannot dislodge the giant spider tangled indislodge the giant spider tangled in
CC
his curls.his curls.
A.A.was pawingwas pawing
B.B.was shakingwas shaking
C.C.could notcould not
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
CarlosCarlos pawedpawed at his hair andat his hair and shookshook his head, buthis head, but
AA BB
hehe could notcould not dislodge the giant spider tangled indislodge the giant spider tangled in
CC
his curls.his curls.
A.A.was pawingwas pawing
B.B.was shakingwas shaking
C.C.could notcould not
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

15. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that itGrandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it
was helping with the high cost of food.was helping with the high cost of food.
A.A.will helpwill help
B.B.would helpwould help
C.C.helpedhelped
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that itGrandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it
was helpingwas helping with the high cost of food.with the high cost of food.
A.A.will helpwill help
B.B.would helpwould help
C.C.helpedhelped
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Grandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that itGrandpa planted a backyard garden, hoping that it
was helpingwas helping with the high cost of food.with the high cost of food.
A.A.will helpwill help
B.B.would helpwould help
C.C.helpedhelped
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

16. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
When Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted toWhen Gretchen was a freshman, she wanted to
major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,
she couldn’t change her major fast enough.she couldn’t change her major fast enough.
A.A.had beenhad been
B.B.was wantingwas wanting
C.C.cannotcannot
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When GretchenWhen Gretchen waswas a freshman, shea freshman, she wantedwanted toto
AA BB
major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,
sheshe couldn’tcouldn’t change her major fast enough.change her major fast enough.
CC
A.A.had beenhad been
B.B.was wantingwas wanting
C.C.cannotcannot
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When GretchenWhen Gretchen waswas a freshman, shea freshman, she wantedwanted toto
AA BB
major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,major in biology, but after her first rat dissection,
sheshe couldn’tcouldn’t change her major fast enough.change her major fast enough.
CC
A.A.had beenhad been
B.B.was wantingwas wanting
C.C.cannotcannot
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

17. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
Everyone is sleeping soundly when BrendanEveryone is sleeping soundly when Brendan
dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stonedropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone
tiles of the kitchen floor.tiles of the kitchen floor.
A.A.had been sleepinghad been sleeping
B.B.sleptslept
C.C.would sleepwould sleep
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
EveryoneEveryone is sleepingis sleeping soundly when Brendansoundly when Brendan
dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stonedropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone
tiles of the kitchen floor.tiles of the kitchen floor.
A.A.had been sleepinghad been sleeping
B.B.sleptslept
C.C.would sleepwould sleep
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
EveryoneEveryone is sleepingis sleeping soundly when Brendansoundly when Brendan
dropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stonedropped the glass pitcher of lemonade on the stone
tiles of the kitchen floor.tiles of the kitchen floor.
A.A.had been sleepinghad been sleeping
B.B.sleptslept
C.C.would sleepwould sleep
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

18. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
Ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparingAncient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing
for their death and burial. Today, however, peoplefor their death and burial. Today, however, people
are thinking that such arrangements are morbidare thinking that such arrangements are morbid
and impolite to discuss.and impolite to discuss.
A.A.were spendingwere spending
B.B.thinkthink
C.C.would bewould be
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians spentspent their entire lives preparingtheir entire lives preparing
AA
for their death and burial. Today, however, peoplefor their death and burial. Today, however, people
are thinkingare thinking that such arrangementsthat such arrangements areare morbidmorbid
BB CC
and impolite to discuss.and impolite to discuss.
A.A.were spendingwere spending
B.B.thinkthink
C.C.would bewould be
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians spentspent their entire lives preparingtheir entire lives preparing
AA
for their death and burial. Today, however, peoplefor their death and burial. Today, however, people
thinkthink that such arrangementsthat such arrangements areare morbidmorbid
BB CC
and impolite to discuss.and impolite to discuss.
A.A.were spendingwere spending
B.B.thinkthink
C.C.would bewould be
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

19. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busyWhen Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy
road, she leaped out of her car and had carriedroad, she leaped out of her car and had carried
the reptile to safety at the other side.the reptile to safety at the other side.
A.A.was carryingwas carrying
B.B.carriedcarried
C.C.will carrywill carry
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busyWhen Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy
road, she leaped out of her car androad, she leaped out of her car and had carriedhad carried
the reptile to safety at the other side.the reptile to safety at the other side.
A.A.was carryingwas carrying
B.B.carriedcarried
C.C.will carrywill carry
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
When Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busyWhen Felicia saw the turtle trying to cross the busy
road, she leaped out of her car androad, she leaped out of her car and had carriedhad carried
the reptile to safety at the other side.the reptile to safety at the other side.
A.A.was carryingwas carrying
B.B.carriedcarried
C.C.will carrywill carry
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

20. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
George Washington believed that he was invincibleGeorge Washington believed that he was invincible
in battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse thatin battle. He rode a conspicuous white horse that
made him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him,made him an easy target, yet no bullet had hit him,
validating his conviction of invulnerability.validating his conviction of invulnerability.
A.A.had believedhad believed
B.B.was ridingwas riding
C.C.hithit
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
George WashingtonGeorge Washington believedbelieved that he was invinciblethat he was invincible
AA
in battle. Hein battle. He roderode a conspicuous white horse thata conspicuous white horse that
BB
made him an easy target, yet no bulletmade him an easy target, yet no bullet had hithad hit him,him,
CC
validating his conviction of invulnerability.validating his conviction of invulnerability.
A.A.had believedhad believed
B.B.was ridingwas riding
C.C.hithit
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
George WashingtonGeorge Washington believedbelieved that he was invinciblethat he was invincible
AA
in battle. Hein battle. He roderode a conspicuous white horse thata conspicuous white horse that
BB
made him an easy target, yet no bulletmade him an easy target, yet no bullet hithit him,him,
CC
validating his conviction of invulnerability.validating his conviction of invulnerability.
A.A.had believedhad believed
B.B.was ridingwas riding
C.C.hithit
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

21. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
We would have bite marks on our ankles andWe would have bite marks on our ankles and
scratches on our thighs ever since adoptingscratches on our thighs ever since adopting
Nelson, our feisty kitten.Nelson, our feisty kitten.
A.A.hadhad
B.B.havehave
C.C.will havewill have
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe would havewould have bite marks on our ankles andbite marks on our ankles and
scratches on our thighs ever since adoptingscratches on our thighs ever since adopting
Nelson, our feisty kitten.Nelson, our feisty kitten.
A.A.hadhad
B.B.havehave
C.C.will havewill have
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe would havewould have bite marks on our ankles andbite marks on our ankles and
scratches on our thighs ever since adoptingscratches on our thighs ever since adopting
Nelson, our feisty kitten.Nelson, our feisty kitten.
A.A.hadhad
B.B.havehave
C.C.will havewill have
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

22. The End.The End.