--- title: Make Sense of Verb Tense description: Choose wisely. Be consistent. And don’t tear the fabric of the space-time continuum. image: https://www.hireawriter.us/hubfs/HAW%20blog%20(61)-1.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/make-sense-of-verb-tense#main-content) [![Untitled design (90)](https://www.hireawriter.us/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(90).png?width=500&height=500&name=Untitled%20design%20(90).png "Untitled design (90)")](http://hireawriter.us) [![Untitled design (90)](https://www.hireawriter.us/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(90).png?width=500&height=500&name=Untitled%20design%20(90).png "Untitled design (90)")](http://hireawriter.us) - [FOR BUSINESSES](https://www.hireawriter.us/for-businesses) - [SEO COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/seo-copywriting) - [SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT](https://www.hireawriter.us/social-media-services) - [WEBSITE COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/website-copywriting) - [LEAD GEN COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/lead-generation-copywriting) - [MARKETING STRATEGY](https://www.hireawriter.us/marketing-strategy) - [FOR AGENCIES](https://www.hireawriter.us/agency-partnership) - [WHITE LABELED COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/white-labeled-copywriting) - [FRACTIONAL SEO LEADERSHIP](https://www.hireawriter.us/fractional-seo-leadership) - [TECHNICAL SEO](https://www.hireawriter.us/technical-seo) - [TRAINING](https://www.hireawriter.us/training) - [ABOUT HAW](https://www.hireawriter.us/about) - [JOBS](https://www.hireawriter.us/hire-a-writer-jobs) - [LEARN](https://www.hireawriter.us/learn) - [LEARN SEO](https://www.hireawriter.us/seo) - [LEARN BUSINESS CONTENT](https://www.hireawriter.us/business) - [LEARN SOCIAL MEDIA](https://www.hireawriter.us/social) - [LEARN STORYTELLING](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling) - [LEARN CREATIVE WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/creative) - [LEARN TECHNICAL WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/technical-content) - [LEARN FREELANCE WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/freelance) - [CONTACT](https://www.hireawriter.us/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [FOR BUSINESSES](https://www.hireawriter.us/for-businesses) - [SEO COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/seo-copywriting) - [SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT](https://www.hireawriter.us/social-media-services) - [WEBSITE COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/website-copywriting) - [LEAD GEN COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/lead-generation-copywriting) - [MARKETING STRATEGY](https://www.hireawriter.us/marketing-strategy) - [FOR AGENCIES](https://www.hireawriter.us/agency-partnership) - [WHITE LABELED COPYWRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/white-labeled-copywriting) - [FRACTIONAL SEO LEADERSHIP](https://www.hireawriter.us/fractional-seo-leadership) - [TECHNICAL SEO](https://www.hireawriter.us/technical-seo) - [TRAINING](https://www.hireawriter.us/training) - [ABOUT HAW](https://www.hireawriter.us/about) - [JOBS](https://www.hireawriter.us/hire-a-writer-jobs) - [LEARN](https://www.hireawriter.us/learn) - [LEARN SEO](https://www.hireawriter.us/seo) - [LEARN BUSINESS CONTENT](https://www.hireawriter.us/business) - [LEARN SOCIAL MEDIA](https://www.hireawriter.us/social) - [LEARN STORYTELLING](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling) - [LEARN CREATIVE WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/creative) - [LEARN TECHNICAL WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/technical-content) - [LEARN FREELANCE WRITING](https://www.hireawriter.us/freelance) - [CONTACT](https://www.hireawriter.us/contact) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Hireawriteronline) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/joywriteryouell/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireawriter/) [X](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/make-sense-of-verb-tense#0) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8sZOTANgCCjtn29m4J0Z6A) [Medium](https://medium.com/hireawriter) [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@joyyouell) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/joyfromhireawriter/) 2 min read # Make Sense of Verb Tense [![Picture of Writing Team](https://www.hireawriter.us/hubfs/HAW%20Logo%20T%20%26%20White%20square-3.png) Writing Team](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/author/writing-team) : Aug 12, 2024 5:30:00 AM [Writing](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/tag/writing) [Fiction](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/tag/fiction) [Scriptwriting](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/tag/scriptwriting) ![Make Sense of Verb Tense](https://www.hireawriter.us/hubfs/HAW%20blog%20(61)-1.png) Verb tense affects the narrative distance. This article is on verb tense and how that affects the viewpoint choices we make. ## Understanding Verb Tense in Fiction The choices are pretty simple because essentially there are only three options for you to choose from: past, present, and future. While future tense is rare in fiction, it's worth exploring alongside the more commonly used past and present tenses. ### Present Tense **Immediacy** Present tense makes the reader feel as if they are right there with the main character. This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. - *Example:* In [*The Hunger Games*](https://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Catching-Mockingjay/dp/0545670314) by Suzanne Collins, Katniss narrates in present tense, which intensifies the action and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. **Suspense** This is especially important if your story involves the [POV character](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/navigating-perspectives-the-art-of-point-of-view-in-storytelling) being in peril. If the story is in present tense, the reader won’t know until the end if the POV character survives. - *Example:* In *Gone Girl* by Gillian Flynn, the present tense adds to the mystery and suspense as we follow the unreliable narration of Amy and Nick. **It Can Sound a Little Unnatural** Present tense is relatively new in the world of fiction writing. Our ears are more accustomed to hearing stories told in past tense. This can sometimes make present tense sound a bit hokey or gimmicky. The trick here is practice, practice, practice. - *Example:* In *T[he Night Circus](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus)*[by Erin Morgenstern](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus), the use of present tense can feel disorienting at first but ultimately enhances the magical atmosphere of the story. ### Past Tense **Distance** The narrator has more distance from the events in the story because they happened in the past. This gives the narrator perspective about those events and allows for hindsight. - *Example:* In *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee, Scout Finch recounts her childhood experiences with the wisdom of an adult, adding depth to the narrative. **Location in Time** Using past tense, you need to consider where the narrator is telling the story from. Is the narrator an old man looking back on his early life? Is she telling the story just after having lived through it? - *Example:* In *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carraway tells the story of Jay Gatsby from a future standpoint, reflecting on the events that transpired. **Less Suspense** If you’re writing in 1st person or 3rd person limited and it’s past tense, the implication is that the [POV character](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/writing-a-characters-embarrassment)has lived to tell the tale. This could lessen suspense if your novel is centered on whether or not the POV character survives. - *Example:* In *The Book Thief* by Markus Zusak, the use of past tense allows Death, the narrator, to reflect on the story with a mix of detachment and melancholy. ### Future Tense **Speculative Nature** Future tense can be intriguing and speculative, suggesting possibilities and uncertainties about what might happen. - *Example:* In *The Handmaid’s Tale* by Margaret Atwood, the future tense is occasionally used in Offred's thoughts to speculate on possible outcomes of her situation. **Projection** This tense projects the characters’ intentions, plans, or predictions, adding a layer of anticipation and expectation. - *Example:* In [*The Left Hand of Darkness* by Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18423.The_Left_Hand_of_Darkness), future tense is used in dialogues and internal monologues to project plans and possible events. **Rare and Unusual** Entire novels or short stories written solely in future tense are rare, but they do exist and can create a unique reading experience. - *Example:* In *Futureland* by Walter Mosley, the use of future tense in some stories helps to build a dystopian world that feels both imminent and speculative. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/24409333/fedb9e0f-c7f4-4b28-862e-814ed22c56d9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/24409333/fedb9e0f-c7f4-4b28-862e-814ed22c56d9) ## Choosing the Right Tense When it comes to tense in fiction writing, there’s only one “rule” you need to remember: be consistent. If you decide to write in present tense, stay in the present. If you choose past tense, stay in the past. And if you venture into future tense, maintain that choice throughout. **Present Tense Cheat Sheet** - **Pros:** Immediacy, suspense, freshness. - **Cons:** Can feel unnatural, less conventional. **Past Tense Cheat Sheet** - **Pros:** Distance, perspective, familiarity. - **Cons:** Potentially less suspense, may seem more detached. **Future Tense Cheat Sheet** - **Pros:** Speculative, anticipatory, unique. - **Cons:** Less common, can be disorienting. In the end, it all comes down to this: Choose wisely. Be consistent. And don’t tear the fabric of the space-time continuum. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Find Your Talisman](https://www.hireawriter.us/hubfs/HAW%20blog%20(64)-1.png)](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/find-your-talisman) 2 min read #### [Find Your Talisman](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/find-your-talisman) ![Picture of Writing Team](https://www.hireawriter.us/hs-fs/hubfs/HAW%20Logo%20T%20%26%20White%20square-3.png?width=30&name=HAW%20Logo%20T%20%26%20White%20square-3.png) [Writing Team](https://www.hireawriter.us/storytelling/author/writing-team) : Aug 26, 2024 5:45:00 AM Each book has a central idea or theme that carries the story. This idea may be something abstract like love, faith, freedom, truth, or adventure.... 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