Self-Learning Module: Verb Tenses Grade Level: 10
Grammar Focus: Verb Tenses – Simple, Progressive, Perfect
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Understand the use of verb tenses to express the timing of actions.
2. Identify and distinguish between simple, progressive, and perfect tenses.
3. Use the correct tense when writing or speaking about past, present, or future
events.
4. Maintain tense consistency in writing for clear and accurate communication.
Lesson Overview
Verb tenses allow us to place actions or states of being in time. They answer the
question: When did this happen? Whether something is happening now, has already
happened, or will happen later, verb tenses help communicate this clearly. There are
three main time frames:
Past: Actions already completed.
Present: Actions happening now or regularly.
Future: Actions that are yet to happen.
Within each time frame, we use three common aspects:
Simple Tense: General or repeated actions.
Progressive (Continuous) Tense: Ongoing or incomplete actions.
Perfect Tense: Actions completed before a point in time.
Understanding and using these tenses correctly improves both writing and speaking,
helping you convey ideas with clarity and precision.
Discussion
1. Simple Tense
The simple tense is the most basic form of a verb. It indicates an action that is either a
fact, a habit, or something completed in the past or intended in the future.
Simple Present: Used to express habits, general truths, and repeated actions.
o Example: She walks to school every day.
o The verb “walks” shows a regular action in the present.
Simple Past: Describes an action that happened and was completed in the past.
o Example: They watched a movie last night.
o The verb “watched” tells us the action is over.
Simple Future: Expresses an action that will happen at a later time.
o Example: I will study for the exam tomorrow.
o The use of “will” helps us express future intention.
Watch discussion video
2. Progressive (Continuous) Tense
The progressive tense shows that an action is or was ongoing or in progress. It
emphasizes that something is happening during a particular time.
Present Progressive: Indicates an action currently happening.
o Example: She is studying for her test.
o “Is studying” shows an action happening at this moment.
Past Progressive: Refers to an action that was happening at a specific moment
in the past.
o Example: They were playing basketball when it started to rain.
o “Were playing” shows the ongoing action at the time the rain began.
Future Progressive: Talks about an action that will be happening at a future
point.
o Example: I will be working at 8 PM tonight.
o This tells us that at 8 PM, the action will be in progress.
Watch discussion video
3. Perfect Tense
The perfect tense is used to show that one action was completed before another or
before a certain time. It is also used to connect past actions to the present or future.
Present Perfect: Expresses actions that happened at an unspecified time or
started in the past and continue to the present.
o Example: I have finished my homework.
o The result is still relevant now.
Past Perfect: Describes an action that was completed before another past event.
o Example: She had left before I arrived.
o This tells us that her leaving happened first.
Future Perfect: Indicates that an action will be completed before a specified
future time.
o Example: They will have graduated by next year.
o This means the graduation will occur before a future point.
Watch video discussion
Tense Consistency
Tense consistency means using the same tense throughout a sentence or paragraph
unless there is a clear reason to change it. Mixing tenses improperly can confuse the
reader.
Incorrect: She was walking to the store and buys some fruit.
Correct: She was walking to the store and bought some fruit.
Keeping your tenses consistent ensures clarity and coherence.
Watch discussion video
Activities
Activity 1: Identify the Tense
Write the name of the verb tense used in each sentence.
1. I will visit my grandmother tomorrow.
2. She is baking cookies.
3. They had finished the test before the bell rang.
4. We walk to school every day.
5. I have never been to Japan.
Activity 2: Fill in the Correct Verb Form
Use the correct tense of the verb in parentheses.
1. (eat) She __________ dinner when I called.
2. (watch) We __________ that movie already.
3. (travel) By next year, I __________ to five countries.
4. (read) I __________ a book right now.
5. (run) He __________ every morning before school.
Activity 3: Create Your Own
Write 3 sentences for each of the following tenses. Underline the verb and label the
tense.
Present Progressive
Past Perfect
Simple Future
Mini Quiz
Choose the correct verb form.
1. She ________ to the mall yesterday.
a) go
b) went
c) goes
d) going
2. They ________ a party next week.
a) will have
b) has
c) having
d) have
3. He ________ his homework before dinner.
a) have finished
b) had finished
c) finishes
d) finishing
4. I ________ when you called.
a) am sleeping
b) slept
c) was sleeping
d) sleep
5. We ________ to the beach every summer.
a) goes
b) went
c) going
d) go
