Using Verbs Correctly – Part TwoSimple Tenses

Grade Seven

Tense

• The tense of a verb shows the time period in which an action or state of being occurs.

• The three simple tenses are present, past, and future.

• The three perfect tenses are present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.

• Both the simple tenses and the perfect tenses can be made into progressive tenses.

Simple Tenses - Present

• The present tense shows an action or state of being that is occurring now.

• The present tense is formed by using the present part of the verb or adding an “s” to the present part of the verb.

Ex. dance, dancesEx. swim, swims

Simple Tenses - Present

dance, dances read, reads

Simple Tenses - Past

• The past tense shows an action or state of being that has already occurred.

• If the verb is a regular verb, the past tense is formed by adding an “ed” to the present part.

• If the verb is irregular, the past tense can be formed in numerous ways.Ex. bakedEx. thrown

Simple Tenses - Past

baked thrown

Simple Tenses - Future

• The future tense shows an action or state of being that has not yet occurred.

• The future tense is formed by adding the helping verb “will” or “shall” to the present part of the verb.Ex. will askEx. shall score

Simple Tenses - Futurewill ask shall score