Present Tense and Past Tense

Read these sentences and highlight the VERBS (doing/being words).

1.

The dog barks.

2. I play.
3. The children like the party.

All these sentences are in

the present tense. It is as
if they are happening
NOW. Talk about this with
your teacher or a partner.

4. You look very happy.

5. My cat climbs trees.
6. All the teachers jump like frogs.
7. The baby paints on the wall.
8. Cristiano walks to school.

Now write the sentences in the past tense, as if they happened yesterday. Highlight
the VERBS again.

1..........................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................
3..........................................................................................................
4..........................................................................................................
5..........................................................................................................
6..........................................................................................................
7..........................................................................................................
8..........................................................................................................
Notice how they all end in ed.
Some verbs dont do this, and well look at these next.

EMA Team, EDS, Somerset County Council

EDS/SH/1087/0405a019edo.doc
3 August 2011

Text and Graphics

Present Tense and Past Tense

Read these sentences and highlight the VERBS (doing/being words).

1. He sits on his chair.

2. I go fast on my scooter.
3. Luis runs to school.

All these sentences are in

the present tense. It is as
if they are happening
NOW. Talk about this with
your teacher or a partner.

4. I am sorry.
5. Mum takes me to the shops.
6. We say no!
7. I see you.
Now write the sentences in the past tense, as if they happened yesterday. Highlight
the VERBS again. These are tricky verbs. They dont add ED like most verbs do.
Talk about this with your teacher or partner first.

1..........................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................
3..........................................................................................................
4..........................................................................................................
5..........................................................................................................
6..........................................................................................................
7..........................................................................................................
8..........................................................................................................
Can you find out about some more verbs that dont add ED in the past tense.

stand - ... drink - ... think - do - ...

come - ... write - ...ride - ... eat - ..
drive - . can - .. have - put - go - .

EMA Team, EDS, Somerset County Council

EDS/SH/1087/0405a019edo.doc
3 August 2011

Text and Graphics

Present Tense and Past Tense

Read these sentences and highlight the VERBS (doing/being words).

1. He finds some sweets. present

2. Ana came to my house.
3. Mum looked for my shoes.

Decide whether these

sentences are PAST or
PRESENT.
Talk about it first.

4. The dog likes his biscuits.

5. We chased the cat away.
6. The children had a race.
7.

We all sit down.

8.

The little boy laughs.

Now write three sentences of your own in the PRESENT TENSE.

1..........................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................
3..........................................................................................................

Write three sentences in the PAST TENSE.

1..........................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................
3..........................................................................................................

EMA Team, EDS, Somerset County Council

EDS/SH/1087/0405a019edo.doc
3 August 2011

Text and Graphics

Present Tense and Past Tense

1. I play in my school team.
2. He drinks orange juice.
3. They ride their scooters down the hill.

These sentences are in the

PRESENT TENSE. Talk
about it with your teacher
or partner.

4. We sing really well.

5. You like my sister.
6. I cook Indian food.
7.

Steven laughs at my jokes.

Now write the sentences again in the future tense as if they will happen tomorrow.

1. I will play in my school team.

2..............................................................
3..............................................................
4..............................................................

Notice that word

WILL
It tells you that
something is going
to happen.

5..............................................................
6..............................................................
7..............................................................

Now make up 3 sentences of your own using the FUTURE TENSE.

1.
........................................................................................................
2.
........................................................................................................
3.
........................................................................................................

EMA Team, EDS, Somerset County Council

EDS/SH/1087/0405a019edo.doc
3 August 2011

Text and Graphics

Talking point discuss the use of I am going to.. as a commonly used

future tense.

EMA Team, EDS, Somerset County Council

EDS/SH/1087/0405a019edo.doc
3 August 2011

Text and Graphics