In academic and technical writing, consistency in verb tenses frequently poses a problem. When it comes to verbs–especially in longer, complex pieces of writing–the key question is how to balance consistency and flexibility. How do authors keep tenses consistent without sounding rigidly simplistic? This becomes particularly acute when dealing with highly technical or complex ideas within the context of evolving research.
The Rules
At the basic writing level, the rules are fairly simple. Rule 1: Use simple past and present wherever possible. Simplifying the verb tenses makes it easier to keep track of which tense you are actually using. It also makes it easier to spot deviations as you write, and to correct course. As a side bonus, using these forms of the verb often tends to encourage the use of active rather than passive voice, as well.
The second rule is also straightforward, and cribbed shamelessly from Strunk & White’s slim volume on writing. Rule 2: Approach the text at the paragraph level. While Rule 1 is practical at the level of the sentence, approaching writing at the paragraph level view allows for more flexibility within a longer section of prose. In other words, rather than worrying about tense consistency all throughout a given section, focus more on the paragraph as the important unit. In the absence of a clear and logical move from past to present within a paragraph, maintaining consistency within paragraphs is usually sufficient. Changing tenses between paragraphs becomes less jarring partly because the reader is already primed for a change in ideas, direction, or mood.
Flexibility vs. Consistency
While the rules are fairly basic, switching between tenses within paragraphs can and does happen. This tends to occur particularly in literature reviews that cycle back and forth between explanations of research carried out in the past and innovations planned in the current study. While this should generally be avoided, it does not automatically condemn the author as a bad writer either.
In order to cut down on the most jarring switches, which often occur in comparisons, it often helps to decide the frame of the topic in advance. Is the narrative of a section or a given paragraph a static or a dynamic story? Are you describing an evolutionary process? Is there an already established frame that you need to adopt? Are there ongoing debates within a field? Sometimes these frames are large enough to encompass an entire section. Other times, multiple frames occur within the same section. This is where Rule 2 becomes useful again. If you have to switch back and forth between tenses within the same section, keeping a consistent frame at the paragraph level helps to alleviate the most awkward shifts in verb tense.
More About Verb Tenses
What if you have already completed the paper? Once again, Strunk & White have some useful advice. Rule 3: Maintain the same verb tense in summaries. If you choose one place to apply consistency ruthlessly, then focus on these sections. These summary texts usually occur in the final 1-2 paragraphs of a given section or chapter. Even if you are sick of poring over your own manuscript, a quick glance through these paragraphs can give you a sense of where the text may need revision.
While any editor you work with should correct awkward wording and lapses in tense and voice, these rules (tips, really) can greatly speed up the process of review. Editors also make lots of suggestions–not all of them equally helpful. The greater your confidence in the underlying manuscript, the easier it is to select the suggestions that actually elevate your text.
