1. Past, Present and Future
Verb Tense
Past, Present and Future

2. When we describe WHEN something happened,
we say
it happened in the past
it is happening right now
it will happen in the future

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. + -s or -es + -s or -es He gives her a rose.
If the sentence has I, you, or more than one person as the subject, don’t add s or es
So if you have ONE person, place or thing, add -s or -es
+ -s or -es
+ -s or -es
He gives her a rose.
She shows off her chocolate.
They hold hands.
Some people stand together.

11. Choose the correct verb for each sentence:
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?