CONSISTENCY

Unity In Sentences & Paragraphs

Consistency in Verb Tense

Tense indicates time. Consistency in Verb Tense indicates consistency of time elements used in a sentence. Simple present (action goes on now): I sit Simple past (action happened and is over): I sat Simple future (action will happen): I will sit

Consistency in Verb Tense

Perfect Tense
uses have, has, or had as auxiliary verb allows action to continue over time Present perfect (action happened and may still be going on): I have sat Past perfect (action happened before something happened in the past): I had sat Future perfect (action will be considered in the future, by which time it will have already happened): I will have sat

Progressive Tense
uses is, are, was, or were as auxiliary verb with -ing ending on main verb focuses on progress of action

Present progressive (action is in progress right now): I am sitting Past progressive (action was in progress in the past): I was sitting Future progressive (action will be in progress in the future): I will be sitting

Consistency in Verb Tense

Each of the above tenses denotes a specific time for an action or event to take place. In general . . . Do not switch from one tense to another unless the timing of an action demands that you do. Keep tenses consistent within sentences. Do not change tenses when there is no time change for the action.

Consistency in Verb Tense

Consistency in Verb Tense

Since there is no indication that the actions happened apart from one another., there is no reason to shift the tense of the second verb.

Consistency in Verb Tense

Consistency in Verb Tense

Consistency in Verb Tense

Consistency in Verb Tense

Consistency in Verb Tense

PARAGRAPH LEVEL Generally, establish a primary tense and keep tenses consistent from sentence to sentence. Do not shift tenses between sentences unless there is a time change that must be shown.

Consistency in Verb Tense

All actions in the above paragraph happen in the present except for the future possibility dependent upon a present action taking place: " If a cat sees the bird, the cat will kill it."

Consistency in Verb Tense

All of the actions in the above paragraph happen in the past except for the possibility dependent upon one action taking place: "If a cat saw the bird, the cat would kill it."

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

Pronoun reference is the practice of making pronouns refer clearly to the words they replace. A pronoun takes the place of a noun; thus, the pronoun must agree with the noun it replaces in number and person. Also, it must be clear which noun the pronoun is substituting for. The noun that the pronoun is the substitute for is called the antecedent.

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

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.

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

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.

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

Use singular pronouns to refer to singular antecedents; use plural pronouns to refer to plural antecedents.

Consistency in Pronoun Reference

Use singular pronouns to refer to singular antecedents; use plural pronouns to refer to plural antecedents.

Consistency in Voice
Consistency in voice calls for the use of a single voice in a sentence. 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.

Consistency in Voice

Consistency in Voice

Consistency in Voice
Example: Larry polished the diamond engagement ring, rechecked the certificate of authenticity, and was completely demolished when his intended bride said no.

Consistency in Voice
Correct: Larry polished the diamond engagement ring, rechecked the certificate of authenticity, and cried like a baby when his intended bride said no. Larry polished the diamond engagement ring and rechecked the certificate of authenticity. His intended bride completely demolished him with her refusal.

Consistency in Voice
Which sentence is correct? A. Lulu popped the cork from the champagne, reached for the chilled glasses, and was shocked to learn that the caviar had been confiscated by customs officials. B. B. Lulu popped the cork from the champagne, reached for the chilled glasses, and was shocked to learn that customs officials had confiscated the caviar. C. C. Lulu popped the cork from the champagne, reached for the chilled glasses, and staggered in shock when she heard that customs officials had confiscated the caviar.

Consistency in Tense & Voice

The best Tarzan ever was played by Johnny Weissmuller. He played the ape-man twelve times, more than any other actor did, from 1932 until 1948. His reign as the jungle man is a critical success and a financial success. He was loved by the fans. His movies were made 70 years ago, but to this day, anyone who took on the role steps into his shadow. No one had ever matched his definitive portrayal of Tarzan. Every Tarzan movie since 1932, including the animated version, has been a tribute to Johnny Weissmuller, the greatest Tarzan of them all.

Consistency in Tense & Voice

Johnny Weissmuller played the best Tarzan ever. He played the ape-man twelve times, more than any other actor did, from 1932 until 1948. His reign as the jungle was a critical success and a financial success. The fans loved him. His movies were made 70 years ago, but to this day, anyone who takes on the role steps into his shadow. No one has ever matched his definitive portrayal of Tarzan. Every Tarzan movie since 1932, including the animated version, has been a tribute to Johnny Weissmuller, the greatest Tarzan of them all.