How do we show when an action takes place? Think about the actions and beliefs you have from the time you were born, until this very moment in time, and into the future. Pick any verb (like play, eat, or wonder) and think about it:
Is it something you are doing right now?
How about something you are doing right now and will do every day?
Or, is it something you did in the past?
How about something you did in the past that repeats?
Or, is it something that will happen in the future?
How about something in the future that you will do only once? Or, more than once?
If this sounds a little confusing, well...you’re right. There are twelve different tenses of verbs we can use to be specific about what we think and do. While you don’t need to memorize them all, they are helpful to refer to when you need a specific way to talk about thinking and doing.
Use the quiz below to see how much you know about verb tenses before the lesson:
Building Blocks
Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time. It is also helpful to see how each skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:
In everyday conversation, you use a variety of verb tenses to specify the timing of actions or states of being. When you write (unless you are writing dialogue) it will be appropriate to use one, consistent tense. Switching back and forth between tenses may confuse your readers.
Present Verb Tenses
Click on each tab to learn about each type of past tense verb: