ESL Present and Past Verb Tense

Past and Present Verb Tense

The tense of a verb shows when the action happened.

• A present tense verb shows action that is happening now.

• A past tense verb shows action that took place in the past. Most past tense verbs end in -ed.

Fill in the Blank

The tense of the verb shows when the action __________.

Multiple Choice

Action that happens now.

• past tense

• present tense

Multiple Choice

Action happened in the past.

• present tense

• past tense

Examples of Present-Tense Verbs

• James works on a farm.

• James picks fruit.

Open Ended

Give an example of a present tense verb.

Examples of Past-Tense Verbs

• James worked on a farm last summer.

• James picked fruit yesterday.

Open Ended

Give an example of a past tense verb.

Multiple Choice

What is the present tense of danced?

• dances

• will dance

Multiple Choice

What is the present tense of kicked?

• kicks

• kicked

• will kick

Multiple Choice

What is the past tense of travel?

• travels

• traveled

• will travel

Multiple Choice

What is the past tense of earn?

• earns

• earning

• earned