E2-a Use one verb tense consistently in a passage unless a tense change is needed to show a time change.
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E2-a Use one verb tense consistently in a passage unless a tense change is needed to show a time change.
tense The form of a verb that shows the time of the action or state of being.
If you tend to mix verb tenses as you draft, perform a special edit of your entire essay concentrating on this one issue.
Change the tense of any verbs that do not follow the established tense in a passage unless they show logical time changes.
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Change verbs to the present tense to discuss events in literature, general truths, facts, and other ongoing principles.
Discussing such events may require tense shifts in a sentence or text. (See also G5-a.)
| PRESENT TENSE WITH LOGICAL SHIFT TO FUTURE | Each cell has forty-six chromosomes that carry the genetic traits the individual will have when he or she is born. |