Download Verb Tense - Pacoima Charter School

Verb Tense
Past, Present and Future
When we describe WHEN
something happened,

we say
◦ it happened in the past
◦ it is happening right now
◦ it will happen in the future
How do we know WHEN
something happened?
The verbs in a sentence tell you whether
the action already happened, is happening
right now or in the future.
 For example:
 Yesterday, we didn’t come to school.
(past)
 Right now we are in school. (present)
 Tomorrow we will be in school again.
(future)

Past Tense Verbs
When something happened already or
happened in the past, we write or say our
sentences in the past tense.
 Verbs in the past tense will usually have –ed at
the end.
 Examples:

◦ Tasha helped at the library last week.
◦ Tony studied for his test last night.
◦ People shouted for their favorite candidate during
the elections.
Present Tense Verbs
When something is happening right now or
happens all the time, the sentences will be in
the present tense.
 Verbs in the present tense will usually have
“-s” or no suffix at the end.
 Examples:

◦ Today Juan works at the library.
◦ Tony studies everyday.
◦ People use ballots to cast their vote.
Future Tense Verbs
When something hasn’t happened yet or will
happen later, we use future tense in our
sentences.
 Verbs in the future tense have the word “will”
before the verb.
 Examples:

◦ I will go to the library at 3:00 p.m.
◦ Tony will study for his math test tonight.
◦ People will vote for a president in four years.
Let’s read the sentence and see if it
is written in past, present, or future
tense
People needed food after the hurricane.
 verb: needed
tense: past tense
 Today we use computers to vote.
 verb: use
tense: present
 A person’s vote stays a secret.
 verb: stays
tense: present
 States will make voting easier next year.
 verb: will make
tense: future

More practice with Present-Tense
Verbs
Present-tense verbs tell what is happening
right now.
 Present-tense verbs follow these rules:

◦ If you use he, she, it, or a singular noun, add
-s or -es to most verbs.
◦ Mr. Derpic blows his whistle everyday.
◦ One of the girls cheers for the team.
◦ A gift makes moms smile on Mother’s Day.
◦ One person tosses the ball.
If you use I, you, we, they, or a plural
noun don’t add s or es to the verb.
 They plant a garden.
 We walk to school daily.
 I toss the ball to my partner.
 The girls cheer for their team.
 The sons make the mom smile on
Mother’s Day.

So if you have ONE person, place or
thing, add -s or -es
He gives her a rose.
She shows off her chocolate.
If the sentence has I, you, or more
than one person as the subject, don’t
add s or es
They hold hands.
Some people stand together.
Choose the correct verb for each
sentence:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Some children (join, joins) groups to
help.
One person (push, pushes) a cart.
Two friends (help, helps) her on
Saturdays.
The teachers at school (work, works)
together.
How can you (act, acts) to help our
community?