SHIFT IN TENSE

What is a shift in tense?

In English grammar, tense shift refers to the change from
one verb tense to another (usually from past to present, or
vice versa) within a sentence or paragraph. In prescriptive
grammar, writers are cautioned to avoid
unnecessary shifts in tense.
SHIFT IN TENSE
Meaning of Tense Shift in Verbs
In from past to present, or vice versa) within
a sentence or paragraph.
A writer may temporarily shift from past tense to
present tense in order to enhance the vividness of
a narrative account.
In prescriptive grammar, writers are cautioned to
avoid unnecessary shifts in tense. Unmotivated shifts
between present and past may obscure meaning and
confuse readers.
SHIFT IN TENSE
What is a verb tense shift?
It is a change of verbs' tenses between direct speech and indirect speech. See
explanation.
Explanation:
A verb tense shift is a process of changing verb tenses when transferring between
direct speech and indirect speech.
In direct speech you cite other people's words direct in quotation marks.
In indirect speech you say what other people say in other way.
Examples:
Direct speech: Tom said "I am ill."
Indirect speech Tom said, that he was ill.
SHIFT IN TENSE

The tense shift usually is one step "backward". This means

that Present tense in direct speech changes to
corresponding past tense, Past tense can either change to
Past perfect or remain unchanged.
Example:
Direct speech: Mike said: "I was home at 8 p.m."
Indirect speech: Mike said, that he had been/was home at 8
p.m."
In future tense forms will changes to would, and shall to
should.
SHIFT IN TENSE
The tense shift usually is one step "backward". This
means that Present tense in direct speech changes to
corresponding past tense, Past tense can either change
to Past perfect or remain unchanged.
Example:
Direct speech: Mike said: "I was home at 8 p.m."
Indirect speech: Mike said, that he had been/was home
at 8 p.m."
In future tense forms will changes to would, and shall to
should.
 AVOID IN SHIFTS

1. verb tense
Except for special cases where the intended meaning
requires a change in tense, maintain the same tense within
a sentence.

Error:- shift in verb tense

She caught the ball and then throws it to the catcher for the out.

Past tense present tense

The sentence above begins in the past tense but shifts, without reason, to
the present tense.

She caught the ball and then threw it to the catcher for the out.

Past tense past tense

OR
She catches the ball and then throws it to the catcher for the out.

Present tense present tense

VOICE

The voice of a verb may be either active or passive in a

sentence. When a sentence contains two or more
verbs, both verbs should maintain the same voice.
Error - shift in voice
 When the children turned on the T.V, a buzzing sound was heard.

active voice passive voice

The sentence above begins in active voice but shifts without reason to passive
voice.

Error Repaired:
When the children turned on the T.V, they heard a buzzing
sound.

Active voice Active voice

 EXAMPLE - EMPHASIS ON
SUBJECT REQUIRES SHIFT IN VOICE

Here, the use of passive allows the sentence to focus

on the subject.
 3. mood
Shifts in mood often occur with directions, where the mood shifts from indicative to imperative or from imperative
to indicative.

Error - shift in mood

Error repaired
4. person
English has three "persons" or points of view:
• first person - the speaker
I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours

• second person - the person spoken to

you, your, yours

• third person - the person or thing spoken about

he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their

Unless the meaning of a sentence clearly requires a change, keep person consistent
within a sentence.
Shifts in person usually occur with changes from the third to the second person point
of view.
 Error - shift in person

Error repaired

If the meaning of a sentence clearly requires a change, then you may change person
as needed.
Example requiring a change in person

Since both I and the others are doing something in the above sentence,
the shift in person is justified.
5. number
Use singular pronouns to refer to singular antecedents; use plural pronouns to refer to plural
antecedents.
Error - shift in number

Error repaired