What grammatical weakness is evident in the ELL's writing sample?

The presence of a grammatical weakness in verb tense indicates that the English Language Learner (ELL) is struggling to consistently use the correct tense forms in their writing. This is critical because verb tense not only conveys the timing of an action—whether it occurs in the past, present, or future—but also affects the clarity and coherence of the narrative. Incorrect verb tense usage can lead to misunderstandings about when events took place, making it challenging for readers to follow the timeline of the story or argument being presented.

A strong command of verb tense helps learners articulate their thoughts clearly and effectively. For example, mixing past and present tenses can confuse readers, as they may not easily discern which events are happening concurrently and which have already occurred. Therefore, addressing weaknesses in verb tense is essential for improving overall writing proficiency, as it enhances both the learner's ability to communicate ideas clearly and their confidence in using the language.