.​

♦ Toolkit Home  ♦  

TOOLKIT CONTENTS

TO ACCESS TOOLKIT PAGES, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:

Sentence basics

1. Is this a sentence? The basic structure of an English sentence

2. Should I start a new sentence? Common errors with sentence structure

Verbs

1. Is the tense correct? Verb tenses and their uses in academic writing

2. Agree with or agree on-is this the right preposition? Verbs followed by prepositions

Nouns

1. How many are there? Singular, plural and uncountable nouns

2. A/an, the or no article? Choosing the right article

Punctuation

Using punctuation marks

Academic Style

1. Not using I: Passive and active voice in academic writing

2. Expressing opinions: Tentativeness and certainty

Proof Reading for Grammar Activity

Glossary

If you prefer to consult the Proof Reading for Grammar Guide in a printable format, use the links below:

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

• English Page Introductory-level explanations of all tenses in English with examples and self-assessment

• Tenses in Academic Writing-(University of Hull ) brief explanation followed by short quiz

• Verb Machine game (British Council) can help you check and develop your knowledge of  English tenses

Is the tense correct?

Often there are no precise rules on which tense is correct. Native and non-native speakers often get a feel for the ways in which tenses are used. Tenses show the relationship between a subject’s actions and time.

How are tenses formed?

Tense is created by using a specific auxiliary verb AND the verb ending IN COMBINATION. The table below illustrates the four main tenses that are used in academic writing.

When do I use a progressive form

(is filming, has been filming)?

Progressive forms can be used in combination with all of the tenses above to show that an action is still in progress:

Common uses of tenses in academic writing

♦Present Simple and Present Perfect

• Use Present Simple for general statements:

• Both Present Simple and Present Perfect can be used to show that findings of past research are currently valid:

♦Past Simple

• Use Past Simple to refer to actions that occurred in the past, or to indicate that research findings have been superseded by more updated research:

♦Future Simple

• Use Future Simple for actions that are certain to occur in the future, for example when describing the functions of equipment or formal procedures:

Consistency

It is important that in your writing your verb tenses are consistent and reflect a logical progression of events or actions. Within a sentence the tenses must match, and within a paragraph there must be a logical sequence from sentence to sentence.

Use of tenses in the different sections of your assignment

While there are no rigid rules, certain tenses may be more appropriate for different sections of your assignment:

Tense checklist

Click the link below to download a PDF copy of the Tense checklist: