Grammar and Conventions

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.

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

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