Tense Shift Patrol Worksheet
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High-Interest Skills Core Grammar • CCSS L.5.1.D
TENSE SHIFT PATROL
Verb Tense Consistency
Page 1 of 2 • Items 1–10
Rule of Verb Consistency:
Keep verbs in the same time frame (all past or all present) unless the time actually changes.
✕ drove & parks | ✓ drove & parked
Part 1: Spot the Shift & Fix It
Find the verb that accidentally changes tense, then write the correct form.
- Liam shifted the car into reverse, checked his mirrors, and presses the gas pedal too hard.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Jasmine brewed a fresh pot of coffee, wiped the front counter, and takes an order from a customer.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Before the homecoming dance, Tyler adjusted his tie, polished his shoes, and buys a corsage for his date.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- In the 100-meter sprint, Chloe exploded off the starting blocks and leads the race all the way to the finish.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Every weekend tournament, Kevin turns on his webcam, adjusts his headset, and streamed his gameplay for fans.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Marcus arrived early for his job interview at the sneaker shop and speaks with great confidence.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- The marching band practiced their halftime music inside the gym and marches out to the football stadium.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- During her driver's license test, Samantha used her blinker, turned the corner, and brakes smoothly at the stop sign.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Every Thursday night, Diego opens his biology folder, reviews his class notes, and highlighted key vocabulary words.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Jordan pushed his skateboard toward the concrete ramp, leaped into the air, and lands a perfect trick.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
Turn over to Page 2 to complete items 11–20 and the High School Challenge. Items 1–10 Complete [ ]
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TENSE SHIFT PATROL • Page 2 of 2
Part 2: Real-World Scenarios
Spot the inconsistent verb and write its matching form on the line.
- The seniors toured the college campus, walked through the modern dorms, and eat lunch at the campus diner.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Backstage before the musical, Mia adjusted the spotlights, tested the microphones, and hears the crowd applaud.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- At the busy drive-thru window, Derek counts the customer's cash, hands over the drinks, and dropped the receipt.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- When the basketball players ran into the gym, the student cheering section screams loudly and waved banners.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Every Tuesday afternoon, the hosts record a new podcast episode, trim the audio, and shared the link online.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- In chemistry class, Noah poured the liquid into a glass beaker and measures the temperature on his worksheet.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Carlos replaced the worn tire, tightened every lug nut with a wrench, and checks the air pressure carefully.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Every Friday, the art students sketch their logo designs, save their computer files, and cleaned the work tables.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Under the stadium lights, the quarterback spotted an open receiver and throws a thirty-yard touchdown pass.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
- Devonte woke up late, grabbed his store name tag, and rushes out the front door to catch his ride.
Inconsistent Verb:
Correction:
High School Writer's Challenge
Write an original sentence about a job, sport, or car with 2+ consistent verbs.
