A tense indicates the time when an action is done. A verb is a doing word.

Examples of doing words (verbs)

§  The car is moving very fast.

§  Singing is Makoto’s favourite hobby.

§  Did she decide to run that fast?

Past Tense

A past tense is an action that has already happened. Many past tenses, although not all, have an additional “ed” at the end.

Examples:

1.      She walked to the supermarket. This action already happened.

Walk - Walked

2.      They tried to run away from the barking dogs. This action already happened.

Try – Tried

3.      The baby cried all night. This action already happened.

            Cry – Cried

4.      Airi carried her books in a bag.

Carry - Carried

Some irregular past tense verbs do not have “ed” at the end.

Examples:

1.      I was told to eat fruits often.

Be – Was

2.      He began running before the whistle was blown.

Begin – Began

3.      The cat bit her hand.

 Bite – Bit

4.      They drew her attention by hooting.

            Draw – Drew

Present Tense

This is an action that is taking place now or currently happening.

Examples:

1.      Akemi sings softly.

2.      Many people are walking towards the mountain.

3.      I am washing my clothes with soap and water.

4.      It has been snowing the whole night.

5.      The car is producing smoke

Past Tense

This is a tense that describes an action that has already happened. It could have happened, for example, a few hours ago, yesterday, last month or last year.

Examples:

1.      Aoi travelled to Osaka to visit her aunty Ren.

2.      I prayed that it rained last month.

3.      He died of an overdose of lethal drugs.

4.      I had eaten the piece of chicken before my brother came.

5.      Did she do that?

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF PRESENT, PAST AND FUTURE TENSES

1. Ariane's dad ________ her home from school most days.

• • A. Drived
  • B. Driving
  • C. Drive
  • D. Drives

• 2. On Friday last week Alex ___________ for his dog at the front door.
  • A. Will wait
  • B. Wait
  • C. Waited
  • D. Did wait

• 3. Just before he got there, a stone ________ on the car.
  • A. Will fall
  • B. fell
  • C. felled
  • D. falling

• 4. The faulty door __________ Susan's mom inside the house.
  • A. Trapping
  • B. Trapped
  • C. Will trap
  • D. Shall trap

• 5. The teachers will _____________ the students before the weekend.
  • A. Punished
  • B. Punishes
  • C. Punish
  • D. To punish