Cheat sheet: Verb tenses in academic writing

June 9, 2022 | Blog

Cheat sheet

No time to read? Here’s the short version:

• Prefer the present simple, past simple, and present perfect tenses in academic writing.
• Different sections of your paper will require different tenses.
• Only change the tense if the timing of the action changes.
• Use the progressive and perfect tenses only when it’s important to stress the ongoing nature of an action or its relationship to another action.
• Use the future tense only when discussing events that have yet to take place.

Common verb tenses

Most academic papers are written using these three verb tenses:

If you’re not sure which tense to use, default to the present simple. Use the past simple or present perfect for events that began and ended in the past.

Verb tenses by section

Different sections of an academic text may require different tenses. Some fields of study have very specific guidelines regarding tenses. Scientific journals may, for instance, prescribe the present perfect tense for the abstract and the past simple tense for the literature review. See our general guide on which verb tense to use in each section of an academic text.

When to change tense

Inconsistency in the use of verb tenses is a common problem in academic writing. In the example below, the writer introduces a published article in the present tense, but then switches to the past tense even though the two verbs (argues and stated) should refer to the same time frame—when the article was written.

Martinez (2011) argues that educators are aware of the need for early diagnosis. In her introduction, she stated that early detection is key to treating a learning disorder.

Avoid this error by following a simple rule: only change tense when the timing of the action changes.

The animals’ weight decreased as the feed’s nutritional value decreased. This outcome suggests that feeds with lower nutritional value contribute to livestock weight loss. While scientists have confirmed this relationship, many questions remain.

Here, the past simple tense (decreased) is used to discuss the results of a scientific investigation that was completed in the past. The writer switches to present simple (suggest and contribute) to describe a conclusion that is unlikely to change—even if consulted at a later date, the data gathered in the study will continue to suggest this conclusion. The writer then uses the present perfect tense (have confirmed) to refer to other research that scientists have conducted in the recent past and that is relevant to the current discussion. Finally, the present tense (remain) refers to the current state of knowledge.

This example shows that a writer can change tense several times within a paragraph or even within a sentence to accurately convey changes in the timing of the narrative.

Use simpler verbs whenever possible

Writers sometimes complicate their sentences unnecessarily by using progressive and perfect tenses.

The author has been arguing for social reform.

This paper is analysing the effect of temperature on soil quality.

Japan had been experiencing a period of economic stagnation after the 1992 crash.

Doctors were stating that Wilma Rudolph would require leg braces to counter the effects of childhood polio.

These sentences can be made clearer and more direct by replacing progressive and perfect tenses with simple tenses.

The author argues for social reform.

This paper analyses the effect of temperature on soil quality.

Japan experienced a period of economic stagnation after the 1992 crash.

Doctors stated that Wilma Rudolph would require leg braces to counter the effects of childhood polio.

When to use progressive and perfect tenses

Progressive (or continuous) tenses pair the auxiliary verb to be with another verb ending in ‑ing to indicate that an action is or was still unfolding. Only use these tenses (whether the present progressive or past progressive) if it’s important to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action, especially if an activity is interrupted or changed by another action or state of affairs.

Work on the building project is continuing despite the architect’s absence.

I was preparing dinner when the earthquake struck.

A perfect tense links the auxiliary verb to have with another verb in the past tense to indicate a completed event. Only use a perfect tense (whether present perfect or past perfect) to emphasize that something about the past is still relevant.

While archaeologists have discovered many artefacts at the site, the location of the chieftain’s tomb remains unknown.

Although the artist had painted portraits early in her career, scholars hold her later murals in higher regard.

Soften language around predictions

While most of your paper will be written in the past and present tenses, you may also want to talk about future events.

Legislators will not be able to escape the consequences of their inaction.

No matter how confident you are, though, no one can predict the future. For that reason, avoid assertive expressions like will, shall, or going to. Instead, use modal verbs like can, may, could, would, and ought to acknowledge uncertainty. Words like likely and unlikely can also soften predictions.

Legislators may not be able to escape the ramifications of their inaction.

Avoid overstatements and strong personal opinions in academic writing; showing prudence adds credibility.

Use the present tense to discuss the paper itself

Writers often use the future tense to discuss later sections of their paper.

This paper will analyse the use of rhetorical tropes in Dryden’s poetry.

Chapter 3 will discuss the environmental significance of the research, while Chapter 4 will explore the link between energy use and poverty.

Using the future tense here is inappropriate because by the time a reader looks at these lines, the paper and all its sections will already exist. Since the content of the paper won’t change after it’s published or submitted, the present simple tense is the best choice.

This paper analyses the use of rhetorical tropes in Dryden’s poetry.

Chapter 3 discusses the environmental significance of the research, while Chapter 4 explores the link between energy use and poverty.

Research proposals are an exception. If you’re planning to conduct research in the future, then the future tense is necessary.

The analysis will address the implications of wage increases in the community.

The proposed experiment will study the drug’s impact on the social behaviour of mice.

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