• 1 TRY OUT LANGUAGE

• 2 LEARN GRAMMAR

• 3 APPLY ON YOUR OWN

Use Present and Past Tense Verbs

The tense, or time, of a verb shows when an action happens.

Action Time Line

• • Use the present tense to tell about an action that happens now or often.

  EXAMPLES	Scientists learn about the ocean every day. (happens often)
  	Today, they look for an old ship at the bottom of the ocean. (happens now)

• Use -s at the end of a verb that tells what one other person or thing does.

  EXAMPLE

  My friend learns about the ship, too.

• • Use the past tense to tell about an action that has already happened.

  EXAMPLES	Yesterday, we looked at a video about the ship.
  	Last week, we learned about the divers on the team.

• Add -ed to most verbs when you talk about a past action.

• learn + - ed = learned look + -ed = looked

Practice Together

Change the verb in the box to the past tense. Say it. Then say the sentence and add the past tense verb.

• 1. call One diver _____ out, “Let’s go!”

• 2. jump Then all the divers _____ into the water.

• 3. start They _____ their search for the old ship.

• 4. stay They _____ together for safety.

Divers discover an old ship.

Try It!

Change the verb in the box to the past tense. Write the past tense verb on a card. Then say the sentence and add the past tense verb.

• 5. discover The divers _____ the ship near the shore.

• 6. hunt They _____ for a way in.

• 7. open One diver _____ an old, rusted window.

• 8. reach She _____ inside the window.