Language: grammar and vocabulary
Simple past, present and future
Recognise and form the simple present, simple past and simple future of a verb.
A verb does not only tell you what happens. It also tells you when. The three simple tenses cover the three plainest answers to "when": now and usually, already finished, and still to come.
Simple present
For habits and things that are generally true. She walks to school every day. Watch the -s: after he, she or it the verb takes one.
Simple past
For something finished. He mended the fence last week. Regular verbs add -ed; irregular ones change shape, as run becomes ran.
Simple future
For something still to come. She will walk to school tomorrow. It is always will plus the plain verb, for every person.
The time words in a sentence are your best clue. Every day, usually and often point to the present. Yesterday, last week and an hour ago point to the past. Tomorrow, next month and soon point to the future.
Worked example
Which tense fits: "Last year we ____ (visit) my uncle in Pune"?
Find the time words: "Last year".
The time words decide the tense before the verb does.
Try it together
Now let us put one verb into all three simple tenses.
The verb is "walk" and the person is "she". Only the verb changes each time — watch what the time words do to it.
1.Simple present. Write the verb: She ____ to the park every day.
Have a go
Which sentence is in the simple past?
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.