English Second Language·Grammar & language usage · NSSCO 1.2
The past & future tenses
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A verb doesn't only tell us what happens — it also tells us when. In this gentle lesson Miss Veronica walks you slowly through the three past tenses (simple past, past continuous, past perfect) and the three future tenses (simple future, future continuous, future perfect). We build each one from its helper word, spell the tricky -ed ending, fix slippery irregular verbs like 'buyed', and finally lay all six on one timeline so you always pick the right one.
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCO English Second Language 1.2):
- Learners should be able to form and use the simple past tense of regular verbs (+ -ed) and common irregular verbs (go → went, see → saw, buy → bought)
- Learners should be able to spell the -ed ending correctly and make simple past negatives and questions with the helper word 'did'
- Learners should be able to form and use the past continuous tense (was/were + verb-ing) for an ongoing or interrupted past action
- Learners should be able to form and use the past perfect tense (had + past participle) for an earlier past action
- Learners should be able to talk about the future using 'will' + verb and 'going to' for plans and predictions
- Learners should be able to form and use the future continuous (will be + -ing) and the future perfect (will have + past participle)
- Learners should be able to place all six tenses on a timeline and choose the correct tense for a given situation
- Learners should be able to identify and correct common tense errors in their own and others' writing
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Miss Veronica and Mike talk through the whole topic — with the figure and working drawn live.