Keep a past-tense account consistent
The idea
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Step by step
- Locate the words that establish when the events happened.
- Find each action in that same time frame.
- Choose the past-tense form that keeps the account consistent.
Example
Yesterday, we opened the gate and ___ into the garden. Choose the consistent past tense.
Answer
walked
Yesterday establishes a completed past time, so walked matches opened.
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5 questionsTry it together
Write three sentences about yesterday. Underline each past-tense verb and explain any intended time change.
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