What is Tense?
Tense serves as a timeline for language. It tells us when an action occurs: in the past, the current moment, or the future.
💡 Teacher Tip: The Timeline
Draw a line on the board. Mark 'X' in the middle as 'NOW'. Ask students to place their daily activities on the line to visualize the concept.
Simple Present Tense
Definition & Usage
Primary use for **Daily Routines**, **Habits**, and **General Truths** (facts).
Sentence Structure
(+) Positive: Sub + Verb (base form)
(-) Negative: Sub + do/does + not + Verb
⚠️ Rule: Add -s / -es for he/she/it
Examples
- • I play football.
- • She plays football.
- • The sun rises in the east.
💡 Teacher Tip: The 3rd Person 'S'
Create a 'Wall of Fame' for 'He, She, It'. Remind students that these three are 'special' and always carry the 'S' luggage with them in the present tense.
Simple Past Tense
Definition & Usage
Used for **Actions completed** at a specific time in the past.
Sentence Structure
(+) Positive: Sub + Verb (past form / V2)
(-) Negative: Sub + did + not + Verb (base)
Examples
- • I played football yesterday.
- • She watched TV last night.
- • He went home (Irregular: go → went).
💡 Teacher Tip: Did is a Verb Thief
In negative sentences, tell students that "Did" is a thief. It steals the 'past' form from the verb, so the verb returns to its base form (e.g., "I did not *go*", NOT "I did not *went*").
Simple Future Tense
Definition & Usage
Used for **Actions that will happen later**, predictions, or promises.
Sentence Structure
(+) Positive: Sub + will + Verb (base)
(-) Negative: Sub + will + not + Verb
Examples
- • I will play football tomorrow.
- • She will study for the exam.
- • It will rain next week.
💡 Teacher Tip: Will is Neutral
Encourage students that Future is the easiest! 'Will' never changes, no matter if the subject is 'I', 'She', or 'They'.
Essential Reference
| Tense | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Now/Daily | I eat rice |
| Past | Finished | I ate rice |
| Future | Later | I will eat rice |
🔴 Critical Checklist
- ✅ Present → play / plays
- ✅ Past → played / went
- ✅ Future → will play
Mastery Lab
🟢 Practice: Change Tense
1. I eat rice → (past) __________
2. She goes to school → (future) __________
3. He played football → (present) __________
🟠 Homework: Fill Blanks
1. She ______ (go) to school every day.
2. I ______ (watch) TV yesterday.
3. We ______ (visit) tomorrow.
🟡 Classroom Activity
“Voice of the Day: My Daily Routine”
Have each student stand up and share three things they do every single day. Award points for correct usage of the 3rd person 's'.
Curriculum Complete
Log session outcomes to the Mastery Registry.