Verb Tenses

THE VERB TELLS WHAT THE SUBJECT IS DOING.

 The tense of the verb tells when the action takes place.

 EAT (VERB)

I eat my lunch in school everyday.

I ate my lunch in school yesterday.

I have eaten my lunch in school every day this year. (Have is a helping verb.)

She has eaten her lunch in school every day. (Has is a helping verb.)

They had eaten their lunch before going out to recess. (Had is a helping verb.)

 When there is a helping verb in the sentence, you must change the tense of the verb.

GO (VERB)

 

I go to school Monday through Friday.

I went to school yesterday because it was Thursday.

I have gone to school Monday through Friday for the past six years. (Have is a helping verb.)

She has gone to school Monday through Friday for the past six years. (Has is a helping verb.)

They had gone to school for 12 years before they graduated. (Had is a helping verb.)

 GIVE (VERB)

 Each day I give my dog a biscuit when he sits.

I gave him a biscuit yesterday when he sat.

I have given him a biscuit everyday since he has learned how to sit. (Have is a helping verb.)

My sister has given him a biscuit when he sits.(Has is a helping verb.)

My children had given the dog biscuits before they moved away. (Had is a helping verb.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the following sentences.  Notice that I have underlined the complete verb.  In some sentences the complete verb is one word, and in some sentences the complete verb is more than one word.

1.      The students have studied multiplication for three years.

2.      In the middle of the night, I woke up because I was thirsty.

3.      I ran after the man who stole my packages.

4.      We should have answered the questions in complete sentences.

5.      You have grown so much this year!

6.      The animals at the zoo ate their food this morning.

7.      We have written to our pen pals in another state.

8.      John and Taylor ride to school on the bus each day.

9.      You have done a wonderful job on your project!

10.   My friends have come to visit us for the weekend.

 Now read these sentences carefully.  Look for the verb. Underline the complete verb.

 1.      My teacher has written a note to my teacher.

2.      Last weekend, we went to the zoo.

3.      I have eaten too much pizza this week.

4.      I had spent all of my money before the end of the week.

5.      I read every night before going to bed.

6.      Linda has remembered her homework all year long.

7.      I sit on a bench in my backyard when I want to be alone.

8.      Aunt Lilly has given me the greatest birthday presents every year!

9.      He came to your house yesterday to see how you were feeling.

10.  I feel happy today.

 

 

 

 

Remember,

When there is a helping verb in the sentence, you must change the tense of the verb.

Choose the correct form of the verb and write it on the line.

1.        I have ________________ into your reading class many times this week. (come, came)

2.        Alexia _________________ that movie last weekend. (see, saw, seen)

3.        In a little while I will _______________ (eat, ate, eaten)

4.        Some of the trees have ________________ very tall.  (grow, grew, growed, grown)

5.        Have you _____________ her for a long time? (knew, know, knowed, known)

6.        Many branches of the trees have ________________ off because of the high wind. (break, broke, breaked, broken)

7.        She has _______________ her homework to the teacher. (give, gave, given)

8.        They have _________________ to the store to buy some school supplies. (go, went, gone)

9.        I  ____________ the answer to the question yesterday, but I don't _______________ it now! (know, knew, known)

10.    Please let me go outside and play; I _____________ my homework! (do, did, done)