English // Grammar & Punctuation

Past, Present and Progressive Tense

Use verbs to convey past and present tense correctly and consistently, including the progressive form (e.g., she is drumming, he was shouting), understanding how tense indicates time

Ages
6 to 9
Type
Concept
Builds on
4 topics
Leads to
7 topics
Standards
5 codes

Quick check

If the learner is writing about something that happened yesterday versus something happening right now, do they change the verb — for example, writing "she jumped" for the past and "she is jumping" for right now?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Write a passage consistently in past tense without switching to present
  • Use progressive forms correctly: 'was running', 'is jumping' to show ongoing actions
  • Identify verbs in a sentence and change them from past to present tense or vice versa

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

4 topics
  • Basic Nouns & VerbsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 5 to 6

    Must identify verbs before applying tense

  • Building sentencesHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 4 to 6

    Sentence concept supports understanding how verbs function in sentences

  • Grammar Terms: Nouns, Verbs and TenseHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 6 to 7

    Progressive forms concept extends from earlier verb knowledge

  • Revising and editingHelpful

    Writing Composition // Ages 6 to 7

    Progressive forms concept extends from earlier verb knowledge

You are here

Past, Present and Progressive Tense

Ages 6 to 9 // Concept

Leads to

7 topics
  • Irregular past tense verbsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 7 to 8

    Irregular past tense builds on understanding of regular past tense verb formation

  • The Present Perfect TenseRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 7 to 11

    Present perfect builds on Y2 verb tenses (past/present/progressive)

  • Simple Past, Present and FutureRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 8 to 9

    Simple tenses including future extend past/present tense and progressive form knowledge

  • Standard English VerbsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 8 to 9

    Standard English verb inflections require understanding of past/present tense verb forms

  • Modal Verbs and PossibilityRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10

    Modal verbs express degrees of possibility and are understood within the broader framework of verb tense and aspect

  • Active and passive voiceRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Passive voice requires understanding of verb tenses

  • Progressive and Continuous TensesHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10

    Year 2 progressive forms (is drumming, was shouting) introduced the concept; G4 extends to all three progressive tenses

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
L.1.1eL.3.1d
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
Eng.App2.Y2.Text.1Eng.App2.Y2.Text.2Eng/KS1/Y2/VGP/2c

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