The tense of any verb indicates to the reader when the action of the verb happens. Tenses are one of the main triggers for your audience. It can help an author build suspense, foreshadow, or reflect. It is one of those little things in written work that are often overlooked. There are three main tenses. The present is used to describe something that currently active or is constant. The future tense indicates something that will occur in the future or is imminent. You can also use the future tense if the odds are good that something will happen. The past tense is used to reflect on actions that have already taken place and ended. This is often used to describe situations and reflect on history.

Tenses of verbs are displayed at the ending of the words. For past form -ed is often found on the end of words. For present form -s is often found on the end. In most cases, you are going to want to keep your use of tenses consistent, but there are times when changing tense is required. This is often the result of a time shift from the past to present. Learning to master the words that result from a shift in tense, is the key to being highly proficient. These language arts worksheets start by working on exercises that have students identify the nature and timing of an action. Students will be assigned the task of determining the relative timing of the action. We will then turn on student creativity through the use of having them use this skill in their own writing. The worksheets get even more imaginative and engaging for students when we have them work on this skill by following a series of written directions. In addition to the relative timing of words we introduce the concept of the progressive tense.