A draft moves between past and present, and you are unsure which shifts are intentional. Start by identifying the time frame of the main narration. Editing verb by verb without that frame can erase meaningful distinctions.
Name the main line of action
Take one paragraph and write a brief note: “This scene is narrated as a past event” or “This scene unfolds in the present.” Then mark sentences that refer to an earlier event, a general observation or quoted speech.
Different verb forms may be necessary because the sentences are doing different jobs. Consistency does not mean forcing every sentence into an identical shape.
Test a suspicious shift in context
Consider the invented pair: “She opened the drawer. The letter is gone.” The shift may be accidental, or the writer may be attempting a sudden movement into immediate perception. Read the surrounding passage before deciding.
If the effect is unintended, revise it. If it is deliberate, ask whether a reader can recognise the purpose without needing your explanation outside the text.
Keep dialogue separate
A character speaking about tomorrow can use a different time frame from the narration describing the conversation. Check the speaker’s meaning rather than applying a global replacement.
After revising, read the scene aloud and note where time becomes unclear. Pair this with clear time transitions: verb choices and scene cues should support the same sequence, even when that sequence includes memories or anticipation.