Verbs: Past, Present, or Future Tense
Basics on the topic Verbs: Past, Present, or Future Tense
Getting to Know Verb Tenses
Verbs are words that describe what someone or something is doing or what is happening. Verbs describe actions and events in sentences. You will find the verb in a sentence close to the subject.
| Subject | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Jessie | kicks | the ball |
The subject in the sentence above is Jessie. The verb tells us that Jessie kicks something.
This text will teach you about simple verb tenses for regular and irregular verbs. We’ll offer a definition, an overview of the first verb tenses you’ll encounter, and some examples of simple verb tenses used in sentences.
Simple Verb Tenses – Definition and Overview
Let’s have a look at the definition of verb tenses first:
Not everything happens right at the exact moment that you’re describing it. This is why there are verb tenses to describe what happens in the present moment, what happened in the past or what will happen in the future.
Let’s look at an example. Can you figure out what tense is used here?
- Rocco jumps over the fence.
This sentence tells us that the action happens in the present. Remember: If you have a sentence with a singular subject, you need to add an -s to the verb in present tense. If the subject is plural, there is no -s added to the verb.
- Rocco and Jessie jump over the fence.
Have a look at the simple verb tenses in the overview below:
| Simple verb tense | Example |
|---|---|
| Present | jump / jumps |
| Past | jumped |
| Future | will jump |
Future, Present and Past Verb Tenses – Examples
Let’s look at some examples to get a better understanding of verb tenses.
- The kangaroo will hop around the outback.
In this sentence, kangaroo is the subject of the sentence. Will hop is our future tense verb, because it tells us what the kangaroo is about to do in the future. We add will in front of the verb for future tense.
- The kangaroo hops around the outback.
Kangaroo is the subject still. hops is present tense, because it tells us what the kangaroo is doing right now. When we make regular verbs present tense in the simple form, we add -s or -es to the word.
- The kangaroo hopped around the outback.
Kangaroo is the subject still. hopped is past tense, because it tells us what the kangaroo did. When we make regular verbs past tense in the simple form, we add -ed to the word.
Verb Tenses with Irregular Verbs
The previous examples showed the verb jump in present, future and past tense. Jump is a regular verb. But the English language also features irregular verbs.
Irregular verbs are not always formed following the rules of regular verbs. They have their own irregular verb forms.
Let’s look at a sentence with an irregular verb:
- The parrot will fly around the outback.
In this sentence, parrot is the subject of the sentence. Will fly is our future tense verb, because it tells us what the parrot is about to do in the future. We add will in front of the verb for future tense.
- The parrot flies around the outback.
Parrot is the subject still. flies is present tense, because it tells us what the parrot is doing right now. When we use irregular verbs that end in a y for singular subjects in present tense, we change the spelling and add replace the -y with -ies to form flies.
- The parrot flew around the outback.
Parrot is still the subject. flew is past tense, because it tells us what the parrot did. As you can see, the verb fly does not follow the rule of adding -ed to create the past form. When we make irregular verbs in their past tense simple form, the spelling of the word changes, and the change depends on the word!
Verb Tenses – Review
Let’s review what we have learned today:
Verb tenses are used to describe when an action or event happens. The three simple verb tenses are present, past and future.
| Simple Verb Tense | Example |
|---|---|
| Present | call / calls |
| Past | called |
| Future | will call |
When writing simple verb tenses, there are some rules that you follow for regular verbs and irregular verbs.
Remember: Regular verbs follow a certain set of spelling rules when modified into the simple tenses:
Remember: Irregular verbs follow their own rules for spelling in the three different tenses. The rules depend on the spelling of the irregular verb:
If you want to practice simple verb tenses, you can find interactive exercises and a downloadable worksheet for simple verb tenses. Just click on the button next to the video!
Frequently Asked Questions about Verb Tenses
Transcript Verbs: Past, Present, or Future Tense
Koko and Pip are looking around the outback. To understand what is going on, they need to learn about verbs: past, present, or future tense. Verbs tell us what the subject in a sentence is doing. They show an action, such as singing, an experience, such as designing, or a state of being, such as existing. Verbs can be written to show these things happened in the past, the present, or the future. We call these verb tenses. Koko and Pip have spotted a kangaroo! Let's look at the sentence: the kangaroo will hop around the outback. Hop is a regular verb, and kangaroo is the subject. Will hop is the future tense, because this tells us what the subject, the kangaroo, will do in the future. We do not add any endings to the verb in future tense. When the kangaroo begins to hop, our sentence becomes: the kangaroo hops around the outback. Hop is a regular verb, but notice we added an S to the verb because kangaroo remains the singular subject, which is just one subject. Hops is the present tense, because it tells us what the subject, the kangaroo, is currently doing. When the kangaroo stops, our sentence becomes: the kangaroo hopped around the outback. Hopped is a regular verb, and kangaroo remains the subject. Hopped is the past tense, because it tells us what the subject, the kangaroo, has done. With regular verbs, we usually add -d or -ed to the end of the word to show past tense. For hop, we will use the doubling rule to double the final consonant, p, and then add -ed. Sometimes, sentences may contain an irregular verb. Irregular verbs are words that do not follow the usual spelling pattern for verb tenses. Koko and Pip have spotted a parrot! Let's take a look at the sentence: the parrot will fly around the outback. Fly is an irregular verb, and parrot is the subject. Just like regular verbs, will fly is the future tense, because it tells us what the subject, the parrot, will do in the future. When the parrot begins to fly, our sentence becomes: the parrot is flying around the outback. Flying is an irregular verb, and parrot remains the subject. Flying is the present tenses, because it tells us what the subject, the parrot, is doing. With irregular verbs, we usually add an -ing to the verb to show present tense. When the parrot stops, our sentence becomes: the parrot flew around the outback. Flew is an irregular verb, and parrot remains the subject. Flew is the past tense, because it tells us what the subject, the parrot, has done. With irregular verbs, the spelling usually changes to show past tense. While Koko and Pip continue watching animals, let's review! Verbs tell us what the subject in a sentence is doing. Verbs can be written to show these things happened in the past, the present, or the future. We call these verb tenses. Regular verbs usually have -d or -ed added for past tense, keep the original verb spelling for present tense, and usually begin with will before the verb for future tense. Irregular verbs usually have their spelling changed for past tense, usually has -ing added for present tense, and usually begin with a will before the verb for future tense, but keeps the original verb spelling for present tense. "That was a lot of fun today Pip!" "How adorable! Pip is sleeping... I guess I will sleep soon too, then we will both have slept!"
Verbs: Past, Present, or Future Tense exercise
-
Identifying present tense.
HintsPast tense sentences use words like "yesterday," "last week," or "a long time ago."
Future tense sentences use words like "tomorrow," "next week," or "someday."
Is the sentence referring to an action that is happening right now?
SolutionThe correct answer is "They are studying for the test right now." The sentence uses the present tense "are studying" to describe an action happening in the present moment "right now."
The other options use past tense and future tense.
-
Match the verb tenses.
HintsWhat word tells about something that already happened, and doesn't follow the usual rules for changing tense?
Past tense refers to actions that have already happened.
Present tense refers to actions happening now.
Future tense refers to actions that will happen later.
Solution- Past Tense: The word "walked" indicates an action that has already happened in the past.
- Present Tense: The word "eating" represents an action happening now in the present.
- Future Tense: The phrase "will dance" indicates an action that will happen later in the future.
- Irregular Verb in Past Tense: The word "sang" indicates an action that has already happened in the past. Irregular verbs do not follow the typical pattern when their tense is changed.
-
Identify verbs and verb tenses with Koko.
HintsLook out for time indicators such as "tomorrow" and "yesterday." What do these words tell us about when the action in the sentence is occurring?
Past tense refers to actions that have already happened.
Present tense refers to actions happening now.
Future tense refers to actions that will happen later.
Solution1.) Sarah is eating a sandwich for lunch. present tense
The action of eating a sandwich is happening right now or in the present. The phrase "is eating" indicates an ongoing action.
2.) We will go to the park this weekend. future tense
The action of going to the park is planned for a time that is yet to come, specifically, the upcoming weekend. The phrase "will go" indicates a future event.
3.) Lisa read a book at the library yesterday. past tense
The action of reading a book already occurred in the past, specifically, the day before the present day. The word "read" indicates that it happened before the present moment.
4.) Tomorrow, I will bake a delicious cake for my birthday. future tense
The action of baking a cake is planned for a time that is yet to come, specifically, tomorrow. The phrase "will bake" indicates a future event.
5.) The student conducted a science experiment in the classroom last week. past tense
The action of conducting a science experiment already occurred in the past, specifically, the week before the present week. The word "conducted" indicates that it happened before the present moment.
6.) John is playing soccer with his friends. present tense
The action of playing soccer is happening right now or in the present. The phrase "is playing" indicates an ongoing action.
-
Help Pip and Koko complete the tense sorting challenge!
HintsLook for words that indicate time, such as "soon," "yesterday," "now," or "tomorrow."
Pay attention to the verbs in each sentence and think about whether they refer to actions happening in the past, present, or future.
Consider when the actions mentioned in the sentences took place or will take place.
SolutionPast Tense:
- She played soccer yesterday.
- Last night, we watched a movie.
- Sarah visited her grandparents.
- I am reading now.
- The dog chases its tail.
- We will visit the zoo soon.
- They will go on vacation.
- He will bake cookies tomorrow.
-
Can you spot the correct verb form?
HintsPay attention to the time indicated in the sentence.
Pay attention to the ending of the verb. Regular past tense verbs typically end with "-ed."
SolutionThe correct answer is "Yesterday, I walked to the park."
In regular past tense verbs, we add "-ed" to the base form of the verb to indicate an action that happened in the past.
-
Identify the correct verbs, verb types, and verb tenses.
HintsThe correct verbs fit in the blanks.
Look at the time words or phrases in each sentence to determine the correct verb tense.
For example, "yesterday" indicates past tense, "today" indicates present tense, and "next month" indicates future tense.
Regular verbs often follow a pattern when changing tenses. Pay attention to the endings of the verbs.
For example, regular verbs often add "-ed" to form the past tense.
Irregular verbs have unique forms in different tenses. They do not follow the typical "-ed" pattern.
Look for any irregular verb forms that don't follow the regular pattern.
SolutionSee the answers below.
"Yesterday, we baked apple pies."
- Verb: baked
- Verb type: regular
- Verb tense: past tense
- Verb: rides
- Verb type: regular
- Verb tense: present tense
- Verb: drew
- Verb type: irregular
- Verb tense: past tense
- Verb: will swim
- Verb type: regular
- Verb tense: future tense
- Verb: sing
- Verb type: regular
- Verb tense: present tense
