What is Verb Tense Consistency? Verb tense consistency means sticking to a verb tense for the entire clause, sentence, or paragraph. Do not shift tenses unless necessary and appropriate.  Take this sentence with confusing and inconsistent verb tense, for example: Michelle painted her room red, arranges her closet, and will wash the car. The verb painted is in the past tense, … Continue reading Verb Tense Consistency: Maintain or Change?