Verbs tell us whether something is happening now (PRESENT), has already happened (PAST) or is going to happen (FUTURE).

Example

Copy these sentences. Underline the verbs and write down whether the sentence is in the present tense or past tense.

E.g. Mark is finishing his dinner. (Present)

1. Duane is helping his friend make a plane.
2. Kirsty read a really good comic yesterday.
3. Adam is sitting outside in the garden.
4. Whilst on holiday, I visited London.
5. The lion roared loudly.
6. Debbie smiled at Craig in the playground.
7. Yesterday, Sam jumped over his Dad's fence.
8. Sue is cooking an apple crumble.

These sentences are all in the present tense. Rewrite each sentence in your books, changing the verb into the past tense.

1. The children are climbing the big, oak tree.
2. Conor is sucking on his dummy.
3. Shane and Kim are playing in the street.
4. I am writing a story about a yellow dragon.
5. The dog is chasing Alex down the path.

The word 'will' often shows that the sentence is written in the future tense. Copy each sentence and write another sentence in the future tense.

E.g. Today I am playing cricket. (Present)

Tomorrow I will play cricket. (Future)

1. Today I am planting flowers in the garden.
2. Today Gary is doing a maths test in class.
3. I am going to school today.
4. He washes his hands in the sink.

Copy each sentence and write another in the past tense.

E.g. Tomorrow I will sing a solo. (Future)

Yesterday I sang a solo. (Past)

1. Tomorrow I will appear in a play.
2. Tomorrow we will dance at the school disco.
3. Next week we are playing netball at school.
4. We will soon be going on a school trip.