Question

read the following excerpt from a student essay. how can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics?
when my grandparents first bought a computer, they didnt know how to use the internet, so i sit down with them and show them the ropes. we go over a few basic terms, and i introduce them to different browsers. i taught them where to find the url for a website and how to use search boxes. we cover different ways to navigate around a website; for example, i show them how to use a mouse, how to scroll up or down a page using the scroll bar, and how to click on links. now they are excited to be online.

• by correcting misplaced modifiers

by using consistent verb tenses
by using commas correctly

Explanation:

The essay mixes past and present tense verbs: the opening sets a past event ("bought", "didn't know") but uses present tense ("sit", "show", "go") for the actions that followed, then switches back to past ("taught") and present ("are excited"). The main grammar issue is inconsistent verb tense usage, not misplaced modifiers or comma errors.

Answer:

by using consistent verb tenses