13b Maintain consistent verb tenses.

Consistent verb tenses clearly establish the time of the actions being described. When a passage begins in one tense and then shifts without warning and for no reason to another, readers are distracted and confused.

The example reads, Our candidate lost in the debate. Just as we gave up hope, she (strikethrough) soars (end strikethrough) (insert) soared (end insert) ahead in the polls.

The text below reads, The writer thought that the present tense (soars) would convey excitement. But having begun in the past tense (lost, gave up), the writer should follow through in the past tense.