Write Your Technical Documents with Consistent Tense

© 2010 Ugur Akinci
Don’t go time-traveling from one clause to another. If you have multiple clauses in a sentence, try to make sure their verbs are in the same tense.
EXAMPLE: “The circuit started to overheat [PAST] when the operator shuts down the relay [SIMPLE PRESENT].”
BETTER 1: The circuit started to overheat [PAST] when the operator shut down the relay [PAST].”
BETTER 2: The circuit starts to overheat [SIMPLE PRESENT] when the operator shuts down the relay [SIMPLE PRESENT].”
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EXAMPLE: “ How the wires connect [PRESENT] was explained [PAST] in the Wiring Installation Manual.”
BETTER 1: “How the wires connected [PAST] was explained [PAST] in the Wiring Installation Manual.”
BETTER 2: “How the wires connect [PRESENT] is explained [PRESENT] in the Wiring Installation Manual.”