Pupils must use verb tenses correctly and correctly by the end of KS2 to reach the expected level in writing. These display posters will support the revision of different verb forms and how they can be used when writing, and act as a reminder for learners when proofreading and editing their independent writing to check tenses are consistent throughout. These resources can be used to support revisiting terminology that pupils will need to be familiar with the in the grammar, punctuation and spelling end of key stage assessment (SATs) at the end of Year 6.
The posters could be used as part of a working wall, encouraging pupils to answer the challenge questions and add examples of sentences they have read or written themselves that include each word class to create an interactive display.
Which tenses are included in this resource?
- tense
- simple present tense
- simple past tense
- future tense
- present progressive tense
- past progressive tense
- present perfect tense
- past perfect tense
- present perfect progressive tense
- past perfect progressive tense
What are tenses?
The tense shows when the actions happen in a sentence. The verb shows whether the sentence is written in the present tense (happens now), the past tense (happened in the past) or the future tense (will happen at some point). The verb forms that show tense can be in their simple, progressive, perfect or perfect progressive forms.
What is the simple tense?
The simple present tense states things that are true now or things that happen often or regularly in the current period and is formed by adding -s to the verb or using the root form of the verb (infinitive).
The simple past tense is used to show when something happened in the past at an earlier time and is created by adding the suffix -ed to most verbs (the infinite), although there are some verbs that are irregular (e.g. teach / taught or fly/flew).
What is the progressive (continuous) tense?
The present progressive tense is used to show something happening in that precise moment and will continue for a longer period of time. It is formed using the verbs is/are/am and the verb ending in the suffix -ing (present participle).
The past progressive tense is used to show something was not finished before something else happened or for something that continued for some time. It is formed using the verbs was / were and the verb ending in the suffix -ing (present participle).
What is the perfect tense?
The present perfect tense is used when something has happened and is still relevant now or when something began happening in the past and continues to happen now. It is formed using has / have and the past tense form of the verb (past participle).
The past perfect tense is used to show something that happened before something else or for something that started happening in the past and was still happening at a later time. It is formed using had and the past tense form of the verb (past participle).
What is the perfect progressive tense?
The present perfect progressive tense is used for something that started happening in the past and is still happening now. It is formed using have / has + been and the verb ending in the suffix -ing.
The past perfect progressive tense is used when something started happening in the past and was still happening at a later time. It is formed using had + been and the verb ending in the suffix -ing.
National Curriculum programme of study links
- Pupils should be taught to use and understand the grammatical terminology in English Appendix 2 accurately and appropriately in discussing their writing and reading.
Teacher Assessment Framework (TAF) at the end of KS2
Working at the expected standard
- The pupil can use verb tenses consistently and correctly throughout their writing