Is it correct to change verb tense within a sentence or paragraph?

To answer this and other questions about using verb tenses, we'll review the first of five rules:

• Use present tense for action happening NOW and/or REGULARLY; for statements that are generally true, such as rules and regulations; and for statements that have no reference to time, such as procedures and process and job descriptions.
  Examples:
  Paul calls every day.
  A violation means automatic discharge.
  Accounting processes all payment requests within 24 hours.



• Use past tense for action that happened in the PAST (last week, last year, yesterday). Use past tense to report completed actions in progress reports, trip reports, and self-evaluations.
  Examples:
  Paul called me last night.
  I inspected the system installation and found it in compliance with ABC's specifications.
  We added a new file to the program to record standard deviations.



• Use future tense for action that WILL happen (later, tomorrow, soon) and to express determination in contracts, directives, and policy statements. Use SHALL to express determination.
  Examples:
  Paul will call you tomorrow.
  Sally will direct the engineering department next year.
  All payment requests shall be processed within 24 hours.

To comment on this topic, visit our Business Writing Tips Forum.

This edition was adapted from our Business Grammar Program.

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