What is tense?

Grammar Toolkit

Tense

Grammar Toolkit

Tense

A verb not only tells what action is taking place, it also tells when the action takes place.

A verb’s tense tells whether the action is:• taking place now — present tense

Goldy jumps.

• has already taken place — past tenseGoldy jumped.

• will take place in the future — future tenseGoldy will jump.

Grammar Toolkit

Tense

Complete the sentences to describe the images. What tense are the verbs you’ve chosen?

The kitten . The man . The eggs . Ellie her sandwich.

sleeps will sleep will break break will trip tripped munches munched

sleeps present tense

tripped past tense

will break future tense

munched past tense

Grammar Toolkit

Tense

• A verb shows action or being.• A verb also tells when the action takes

place. Its tense shows whether the action is happening now (present tense), has happened (past tense) or will happen (future tense).

Grammar Toolkit

Tense

The End