Skill 33: Know when to use past with the present

One verb tense problem that is common both in student writing and on the TOEFL test is the switch from the past tense to the present tense for no particular reason. Often when a sentence has both a past tense and a present tense, the sentence is incorrect.

USING THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT

1.- if you see a sentence with one verb in the past and one verb in the present, the sentence is probably incorrect.

2.- however, it is possible for a correct sentence to have both past and present together.

3.- if you see the past and present together, you must check the meaning to determine whether or not the sentence is correct.