Verb Tenses in Fiction Writing

Fiction Yogi

Nov 18, 20245 min read

Verb tenses specify when an action is taking place. In fiction writing, the choice of tense additionally sets the tone of your story, anchors your narrative in an established timeline, and influences how your readers emotionally connect with your characters and events.

In this article, we’ll explore the 12 verb tenses used in the English language, how to use them, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls.

Download the PDF version here if you'd like to keep it handy as you work:

The big three verb tenses: past, present, and future

1. Past tense

Past tense is the most commonly used tense in fiction. It offers a sense of reliability and distance, making it suitable for both third-person and first-person narratives. For example:

Third-person past: “She walked to the edge of the cliff and stared into the endless sea.”
First-person past: “I stumbled through the forest, my heart pounding in my chest.”

Why use it: Readers are accustomed to past-tense storytelling. Its reflective quality mirrors how we recount our own memories, making it authentic and immersive.

Challenges: Be mindful of unintentional shifts in tense. If your story begins in past tense, avoid slipping into present tense unless you have a clear, purposeful reason.

2. Present tense

Present tense gives your story a vivid, immediate, and intimate quality. It’s often used in contemporary novels, young adult fiction, and experimental works.

Third-person present: “She walks to the edge of the cliff and stares into the endless sea.”
First-person present: “I stumble through the forest, my heart pounding in my chest.”

Why use it: Present tense pulls readers directly into the action, making them feel like they’re experiencing events alongside the characters. It’s particularly effective for fast-paced or emotionally intense stories.

Challenges: Some readers find present tense distracting. Additionally, providing backstory or shifting between timeframes will require careful attention to avoid disorienting the reader.

3. Future tense

Future tense is used occasionally in fiction to produce a specific effect, such as foreshadowing or speculative storytelling.

Third-person future: “She will walk to the edge of the cliff and stare into the endless sea.”
First-person future: “I will stumble through the forest, my heart pounding in my chest.”

Why use it: Future tense creates anticipation and inevitability. It works well in dystopian or speculative fiction where events unfold in a preordained sequence.

Challenges: Sustaining future tense for long stretches can feel awkward and may alienate readers if not handled carefully.

Simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous

Each of the three main verb tenses (past, present, future) are subject to one of four further tenses: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous, which give more information about when the action is carried out.

1. Simple tense

The simple tense is straightforward and versatile. It describes actions that are habitual, completed, or happening in general.

Past simple: "She walked to the park."
Present simple: "She walks to the park."
Future simple: "She will walk to the park."

Use in fiction: The simple tense keeps sentences clear and direct, often forming the backbone of storytelling.

2. Continuous tense

The continuous tense emphasizes actions that are ongoing, in progress, yet to complete.

Past continuous: "She was walking to the park."
Present continuous: "She is walking to the park."
Future continuous: "She will be walking to the park."

Use in fiction: Continuous tense adds immediacy and detail, helping readers visualize scenes or emotions as they unfold.

3. Perfect tense

The perfect tense connects actions across time, showing their completion relative to another time.

Past perfect: "She had walked to the park before it started raining."
Present perfect: "She has walked to the park many times."
Future perfect: "She will have walked to the park by noon."

Use in fiction: Perfect tense is excellent for adding depth to timelines, especially when reflecting on past events or foreshadowing.

4. Perfect continuous tense

The perfect continuous tense highlights the ongoing duration of an action across time.

Past perfect continuous: "She had been walking to the park for an hour before it started raining."
Present perfect continuous: "She has been walking to the park every day this week."
Future perfect continuous: "She will have been walking for two hours by the time she arrives at the park."

Use in fiction: This tense adds further nuance and depth to timelines, emphasizing how long events or actions have lasted.

Mixing tenses: when and how to do it

While consistency is key, tenses can be mixed to achieve specific effects, such as:

In a present-tense narrative, past tense is often used to recount earlier events, for purposes of backstory or in flashbacks;
Foreshadowing might employ future tense briefly to hint at what’s to come;
Internal monologue can shift tenses to reflect a character’s stream of consciousness.

Example: “She walks to the cliff, her steps faltering. Yesterday, she would have laughed at the idea of fear gripping her this way. Tomorrow, she will stand here again, braver.”

The shifts in this example are purposeful and clear, enhancing the narrative's emotional depth.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Inconsistent tense usage: During editing, double-check your work for unintentional shifts in tense. If needed, use grammar-checker tools, such as ProWritingAid or Grammarly, or have a trusted critique partner or editor review your manuscript. (Note: the ProWritingAid link here is an affiliate link, but I only recommend tools I personally use in my writing and benefit from.)
Overuse of present tense: While immediate and gripping, present tense can sometimes feel claustrophobic or restricted if not balanced with moments of reflection or backstory.
Awkward transitions: Ensure transitions between tenses are smooth and justified by the narrative. Signpost time shifts clearly to avoid confusing the reader.

Tips for helping you choose the right tense

Consider your genre and audience: Traditional genres often favour past tense, while experimental or contemporary genres might lean more towards present tense. However...
Experiment with tense in your drafts: Sometimes rewriting a scene in a different tense reveals its emotional potential.
Think about your character’s voice: A reflective narrator might suit past tense, while a restless, action-oriented character might thrive in present tense.

Finally...

My advice would be not to fret excessively over verb tenses, or to feel as a writer that you should be able to recite each of the tenses and in what situations they're used. Much of what we've discussed here is already instinctive to you as a writer and also - I'll presume - as a reader.

The main purpose here is for you to understand the options, flexibility, and techniques open to you as you write, and the impact the various tenses can have on your narrative. There is no right or wrong method, so experiment with different tenses to see what works best where, and how you can build that vital connection with the reader.

Above all, as always, clarity and consistency are key. As long as shifts in tense are used purposefully and with clear, comprehensible intention, they are another powerful tool in your writer's toolbox.