Verb Tense

When does the action or state of being take place?

Present FuturePast

Past Tense

•Shows action that has already happenedUsually ends in ed.

• Yesterday the bus stopped across the street.

• It appeared from a cloud of smoke.

Present Tense

•Shows action that happens now.

• Storm clouds gather above the mountains.

• A river of rain sweeps the sky.

Future Tense

•Shows action that will happenUsually formed with helping verb will or shall

• Tomorrow I will remember my mom’s birthday.

• We shall return when there is more free food.

Quick Check

Use the verb walk to write a sentence for each tense.

1. Past: I _______ to school last week.

2. Present: I _____ to school every day.

3. Future: I _________ to school next week

Present FuturePast

1. Past:

2. Present:

3. Future:

walked

walkwill walk

Perfect Tenses

• Perfect tenses help us understand what order actions take place in

• Show that we’re not exactly sure of the start or stop of the action or it’s not important

• Perfect tenses use the helping verb to have

Future perfect

Present perfect

Past perfect

Past Perfect Tense

•Shows action completed before another action in the pastUses had + verb

• We had walked around the block once before I tripped.

Present Perfect Tense•Shows action that happened sometime in the past, but we’re not sure whenHappened in the past and is still happeningUses has/have + verb

• We have studied grammar before.

• Tom has picked his nose as long as I have known him.

Future Perfect Tense•Shows action that will be complete before another beginsUses will/shall have + verb

• Mr. Stille will have killed me before we even take the test.

Quick Check

Use the verb walk to write a sentence for each tense.

1. Past perfect: I ____________ to school yesterday before it started raining.

2. Present perfect: I __________ to school my entire life.

3. Future perfect: By the time I graduate, I____________ to school for 12 years.

Future perfect

Present perfect

Past perfect

had walked

have walked

will have walked