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Year 4 - English

Sentences in the simple present, past and future tense

Tense forms: simple, progressive and perfect consolidation

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils review formal conventions around present, past and future simple and progressive tense forms, as well as the perfect present tense. They review doing, being and having verbs, all of which can act as main verbs in clauses, as well as knowledge about main and auxiliary verbs.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to write a range of sentence types in the simple present, past or future tense.

Key Notes

  • The verb carries the tense of a sentence.
  • Sentences can be formed in the first, second or third person.
  • The simple tense can denote present, past or future action.
  • The simple tense is a tense that does not make use of an auxiliary verb in addition to the main verb.
  • Tense is often maintained within sentences.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • verb: a doing, being or having word
  • tense: tells the reader when something happens
  • simple tense: a tense that does not make use of an auxiliary verb in addition to the main verb in the present and past
  • auxiliary verb: the helping verb that is always paired with the main verb
  • maintain: keep or stay the same

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may believe that there can only be one verb in a sentence.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The verb carries the tense of a sentence. Sentences can be formed in the first, second or third person.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'verb'

a doing, being or having word.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may believe that there can only be one verb in a sentence. Correction: Auxiliary verbs are 'helping' verbs that connect to the main verb to help change the tense or meaning.

More Lessons In This Unit

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