Shifts

Shifts in Tense
Generally, writers maintain one tense for the main discourse and indicate changes in time frame by changing tense relative to that primary tense, which is usually either simple past or simple present.

General guideline: Do not shift from one tense to another if the time frame for each action or state is the same. Incorrect: "The ocean **contains** rich minerals that **washed down** from rivers and streams." Correct: "The ocean **contains** rich minerals that **wash down** from rivers and streams."
 * Examples:**

General guideline: Do shift tense to indicate a change in time frame from one action or state to another. "The children **love** their tree house, which they **built** themselves." "Workers **are installing** extra loudspeakers because the music in tonight's concert **will need** amplification."
 * Examples:**

General guideline: Establish a primary tense for the main discourse, and use occasional shifts to other tenses to indicate changes in time frame.

--http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_tensec.html

Shifts in Mood
A shift in mood refers to a shift in the approach to a topic.

In the **indicative mood**, ideas are expressed in a matter-of-fact way. The **imperative mood** is characterized by commands or requests. The **subjunctive mood** refers to wishes or statements contrary to fact. --http://www.bristol.mass.edu/Department_Pages/Quest_Writing_Lab/grammar/shifts.htm
 * Ex.** "Juan, your room needs to be cleaned."
 * Ex.** "Juan, go clean your room immediately."
 * Ex.** "If I wanted to clean my room, I would have cleaned it already."

Shifts in Voice
When a verb is in the **active voice**, the subject performs the action. When a verb is in the **passive voice**, the subject receives the action. Do not shift to the passive voice when a person is the active element in a sentence.
 * Examples:**
 * Active Voice:** Kyle drove his car into a wall.
 * Passive Voice:** The car was driven into a wall by Kyle.

Shifts in voice are occasionally correct when used for emphasis. The researchers **will drill** a succession of holes in the seafloor and thin pipes **will be extended** through which the researchers will lower equipment for sending sound waves through the rock and hydrate deposits.
 * Example:**

http://english.byu.edu/writingcenter/pdf/faulty-shifts.pdf.

**Shifts in Person**
Point of view should remain consistent in all of your written documents. You may write a paper in first person, second person, or third person, but you can not shift from one group to another. Incorrect: None of our teachers cared if you passed or failed Correct:None of our teachers cared if **we** passed or failed.

http://www.mstc.edu/instructor/mkleckner/appropriate_shifts.htm

Comprehensive Activity

The Quiz

Citations