Conventions and Grammar

Verb Tenses

​Present Tense

A verb in the present tense tells what happens now.

Example: The temperature usually drops in January.

Verb Tenses

Past Tense

A verb in the past tense tells what happened in the past.

Example: Last year, the temperature dropped in January.

The past tense of most action verbs is made by adding -ed to the present tense verb.

Verb Tenses

Future Tense

A verb in the future tense tells what will happen in the future.

Example: You can be sure that the temperature will drop this January.

To write about the future, use the special verb will.

Multiple Choice

It rained really hard last night.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Multiple Choice

I make tasty chicken nuggets.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Multiple Choice

Charlotte will lead the class to the playground.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Multiple Choice

Cooper played Monopoly yesterday.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Multiple Choice

Lucy and Penny will deliver the flyers.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Multiple Choice

Sydney lives near Aurie.

• Past Tense

• Present Tense

• Future Tense

Past Tense Action Verbs

​How to change a verb to its past tense form

1. If the verb ends with a silent -e, drop the -e and add -ed.

2. If the verb ends with a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the consonant and add -ed.

3. If the verb ends in a consonant and -y, change the -y to -i and add -ed.

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

talk

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

jump

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

hug

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

carry

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

reply

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

trot

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

climb

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

return

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

simplify

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

walk

Fill in the Blank

Type the past tense form of the verb.

fan

Progressive Tenses

​Present Progressive Tense

To form the present progressive tense, use the helping verbs am, is, or are with the -ing form of the main verb.

Examples: is walking, are talking, am writing.

A present tense verb must agree with the subject of the sentence.

Progressive Tenses

​Past Progressive Tense

To form the past progressive tense, use the helping verbs was or were with the -ing form of the main verb.

Examples: was writing, were riding

Progressive Tenses

​Future Progressive Tense

To form the future progressive tense, use will be with the -ing form of the main verb.

Examples: will be writing, will be speaking

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The phone was ringing last night.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

We are riding the bus to Camp Nuhop.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

Liam will be traveling to Columbus after school for the Crew game.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

Serenity and Adrian are campaigning for class president.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The K-Kids are delivering Valentine's cards to the Senior Citizen's Center.

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future Progressive

Let's Put it All Together Now!

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Evelyn will eat dinner later tonight.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Present Progressive

• Future

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

I am writing an essay about Anthony Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Present Progressive

• Future

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Anna walked across the street.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Present Progressive

• Future

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Zandra is walking across the street.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Present Progressive

• Future

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Lucy will walk across the street.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Present Progressive

• Future

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Jacob will be taking the test on Friday.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Evan is asking if Howie and Dion want to go to the Cav's game.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the Verb Tense.

Mikey decided to have eggs and toast for breakfast.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present Progressive

• Future

• Future Progressive

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the past progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Luca _______ (plan) his birthday party last night.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the past progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Kathleen and Alexis _______ (plan) their class's pizza party.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

I _______ (plan) a surprise birthday party for my mom.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Jack _________ (train) for the school running race.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Thea and Giuliana ________ (run) for president and vice president of the class.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the future progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Alice and Sidorela ________ (run) against each other in tomorrow's race.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the future progressive form of the verb in parentheses.

Clara and Reese ________ (work) together on the spring project.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the past tense of the verb in parentheses.

Alice ________ (work) on her project last night.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the future tense of the verb in parentheses.

Benny ________ (work) on her project later tonight.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present tense of the verb in parentheses.

Evan ________ (play) Chess on a travel team.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive tense of the verb in parentheses.

Giana ________ (play) soccer on a travel team.

Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence with the present progressive tense of the verb in parentheses.

Christos and Luke ________ (play) on the maroon lacrosse team.

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The telephone was ringing all night.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

I watched the wolf in the woods.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

My father will call soon.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

Mr. Wilhelmy will be teaching a new class next year.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The computer broke a long time ago.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The ocean will be rising in the next few hours.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

My brother was crying about the spilled milk.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

We talked for hours on Facetime.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

I will leave early for softball practice.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive

Multiple Choice

Identify the verb tense.

The kite was flying high in the clouds.

• Past

• Past Progressive

• Present

• Future

• Future Progressive