Simple Present Tense: The Rules

tense.
The tense shows the timing of an action and changes the verb within a sentence.

Simple Present Tense: The Rules

Simple present tense sentences show an action happening right now and use the infinitive (simplest) form of a verb.

I play.

We play.

You play.

They play.

He plays.

She plays.

completed.

Simple Past Tense: The Rules

I played.

We played.

You played.

They played.

He played.

She played.

events that are ongoing at a particular point in time. It is formed by combining the verb’s present participle (by adding –ing) with a form of the verb ‘to be’.

Progressive Tense: The Rules

The mermaid is hiding behind the treasure chest.

The Gingerbread Man was running as he was being chased.

of time. It is formed by combining the verb’s past participle (usually by adding –ed or -en) with a form of the auxiliary verb ‘to have.’

Perfect Tense: The Rules

The chef has baked lots of loaves.

The chameleon had changed colour before hiding from its predator.

you have to deal with irregular verbs. Lots of verbs don’t change in a regular way to form their past tense versions or past participles, e.g.

Tenses: The Tricky Bits

The carrots grew.

The calf is growing taller everyday.

I crossed the road to the sweet shop.

which sentence is written in the past progressive tense.

Digger was burying his bone in the garden.

The baby zebra is learning to walk.

Since falling, Grandad had found it difficult to walk.

Tick one.

rugby player for years. He was hoping for match tickets and was delighted when his parents gave him some for his birthday this year.

Circle (by clicking on the word) the verb form that is in the present perfect in the passage below.

Incorrect Answer

these past perfect sentences (the first one is done for you).

The boys had ________ their lunch.

After a long time on the market, the house had ________ .

After a few hours, the lollies had ________ in the freezer.

Verb

eat

sell

freeze

eaten

sold

frozen