Verb tenses

In this video Jonathan explains why it is essential to use correct verb tenses in your academic writing.

To help you identify the correct verb tense, Jonathan recommends you ask yourself the following questions as you are writing, and when you are proof-reading your essay:

• Does the verb relate to the present, past or future?

• If the action or state started in the past, is there a present effect?

• Does the verb related to a completed action or state in the past with no present effect?

• Should I use an active or passive form?

You can view the text from the video in this PDF document.

© Extract from Bayliss, K. (2003). Utility privatisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of water. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 41(4), 507-531. doi:10.1017/S0022278X03004415. 2003 Cambridge University Press.