A Guide to APA Verb Tense

Writers are familiar with verb tense, which shows when an action, state, or condition happens (or happened). What they may not realize is how much tense matters in scientific and academic writing. In APA style in particular, tense distinguishes between the author’s work, other authors’ work, and established facts, enhancing consistency and readability. Using tense correctly also demonstrates professionalism and establishes credibility.

Below we’ll review the appropriate tense for each section of an APA paper to help you communicate your ideas and discuss your research clearly and logically.

The past tense is used to review literature or discuss other authors’ work because the research was completed in the past. Here are some examples:

• Weaver (2025) reported an increase in voter participation.
• Studies by Weaver (2025) indicated that the variable is highly significant.

The present-perfect tense, which expresses an action, state, or condition that happened at an unspecified time in the past or that started in the past and continues into the present, is also appropriate for discussing other researchers’ work. It’s formed by using have or has with the past participle of the main verb. Here’s an example:

• Blake and Taylor (2022) have demonstrated that survey results are not always conclusive.

The past tense is appropriate when describing the procedures used in your research because you are describing actions and events that have already been completed, as in the following example:

• Participants finished the first task.

The present-perfect tense can also be used when expressing that an action didn’t occur at a specific time in the past (see the first example) or when indicating that an action began in the past but is ongoing (see the second example).

• Several studies have attempted to distinguish between the two terms.
• Researchers have continued to monitor participant blood pressure over time.

Results are discussed in the past tense because they describe actions and observations completed during the study, as in the following examples:

• The analysis demonstrated a significant p value.
• The survey revealed that most students were unsatisfied with the curriculum.

The present tense is used to discuss results and their implications, signifying that your findings and interpretations are current. Here are some examples:

• This study indicates that not all college-aged students prefer living off campus.
• Survey results suggest that more research may be needed on this subject.

The present tense is used to present conclusions, limitations, and areas for future research, concepts that exist in the present and are applicable now. As with the following examples, the present tense indicates that you are speaking to current and future readers:

• This review highlights the importance of evidence-based practices.
• In conclusion, this analysis underscores the significance of continued research.

Understanding verb tense in APA is an important skill for academic and scientific writers. Using verb tense correctly will not only help you present your research clearly and consistently but will also enhance the professionalism and credibility of your writing. Table 4.1 in the APA style guide will help keep you on track (see also Verb Tense on the APA style website).

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