Question

Verb Tense

Directions: After reading the rules and examples, follow the directions in each section below to complete this assignment.

Introduction

Verb tense is used to indicate specific periods of when we are writing or speaking. We can tell:

a. when something is happening, (present)

b. has already happened, (past)

or

c. has yet to happen. (future)

Three basic verb tenses help us understand when something is going to happen or has happened: in the present, the past, or the future.

Rule: Present tense indicates present action or action that happens on a regular basis.

Example: I walk in the morning before school begins.

Rule: Past tense indicates that the action has already happened.

Example:

Our teacher graded our test yesterday. (add -ed to 'grade' to form the past tense)

Rule: Future tense indicates that the action hasn't yet happened, but will.

Example: They will audition for this year's school play. ('will audition' indicates this action happens in the future)

Review

Directions: Choose the correct verb and identify the tense in the following sentences.

1. Jack will (paint, paints, painted) houses in the summer for extra spending money.

2. Yesterday, Anaya's car (break, broke, broken) down on the turnpike.

3. It is advisable that you (carry, carries, carried) your insurance card with you at all times.

4. (Put, Puts) the remainder of the supplies in the storage room down the hall.

5. A load of dirt (cost, costs) him more than anticipated.

6. It is likely that the child was (run, runs, running) when she slipped and fell.

7. One of the contestants on American Idol (sings, sang, sung) my favorite Beatles song last night.

8. Our rock band (play, played, plays) at dances almost every weekend.

9. Dad and I will be (seeing, saw, seen) an L.A. Lakers basketball game next month when we go to California.

10. Joseph is (get, got, getting) another opinion from a nearby vet.

Answer 1

1. Paint
2. Broke
3. Carry
4. Put
5. Cost
6. Running
8. Plays
9. Seeing
10. Getting

Answer 2

1. Jack will (paint) houses in the summer for extra spending money.

2. Yesterday, Anaya's car (broke) down on the turnpike.

3. It is advisable that you (carry) your insurance card with you at all times.

4. (Put) the remainder of the supplies in the storage room down the hall.

5. A load of dirt (cost) him more than anticipated.

6. It is likely that the child was (running) when she slipped and fell.

7. One of the contestants on American Idol sang (sang is past tense, whilst sung is a past participle. They oftentimes get mixed up but it doesn't matter much) my favorite Beatles song last night.

8. Our rock band (plays) at dances almost every weekend.

9. Dad and I will be (seeing) an L.A. Lakers basketball game next month when we go to California.

10. Joseph is (getting) another opinion from a nearby vet.