Present, Past, and Future Tenses | Printable Test Prep and Tests ... - Free Printable

You’ve uploaded a worksheet titled “Present, Past, and Future Tenses” designed for students to identify whether each sentence is in the past, present, or future tense.

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✔ Instructions Recap:

> Read each sentence carefully. Identify the underlined verb as past, present, or future tense.

The box on the right explains:
- Past tense: The action *has already happened*.
- Present tense: The action *is happening now*.
- Future tense: The action *will happen in the future* (often uses “will” or “going to”).

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## 📝 SOLUTION — Identifying the Tense of Each Underlined Verb

Let’s go through each sentence one by one:

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1. Merchandisers can be listening to focus groups.

→ Present tense
*(“Can” is a modal verb used with base form “be” — this describes a current ability or possibility.)*

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2. They bring together many styles for teenagers to look at.

→ Present tense
*(Simple present — habitual or general action.)*

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3. Later, the design team will add special touches.

→ Future tense
*(“Will add” = definite future action.)*

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4. They sent the first designs out for more work.

→ Past tense
*(“Sent” is past simple — action completed.)*

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5. The marketers discuss the latest fashions and ideas.

→ Present tense
*(Simple present — ongoing or regular activity.)*

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6. They keep the prices down so teenagers can afford them.

→ Present tense
*(Simple present — habitual action.)*

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7. At one point, the patterns were sent back to the cutting room.

→ Past tense
*(“Were sent” = passive voice, past simple — action occurred in the past.)*

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8. There, sewers assemble a small run for the test market.

→ Present tense
*(Simple present — describing a routine step in a process.)*

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9. A new pair of jeans will appear in no time.

→ Future tense
*(“Will appear” = future action.)*

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10. Shoppers of all ages will buy the jeans.

→ Future tense
*(“Will buy” = future prediction.)*

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11. People know about the jeans from the ads.

→ Present tense
*(Simple present — current state of knowledge.)*

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12. Then, they will plan a campaign to attract buyers.

→ Future tense
*(“Will plan” — future action.)*

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13. For instance, they designed the big signs and the chain you see in stores.

→ Past tense
*(“Designed” — completed action in the past.)*

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14. An ad agency will create ads for magazines and newspapers.

→ Future tense
*(“Will create” — future action.)*

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15. Researchers will close their ads to consumer groups.

→ Future tense
*(“Will close” — future action. Note: This might be a typo — perhaps meant “will show” or “will send”? But grammatically, “will close” is still future tense.)*

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## ✔ FINAL ANSWER KEY:

| Sentence # | Tense |
|------------|-----------|
| 1 | Present |
| 2 | Present |
| 3 | Future |
| 4 | Past |
| 5 | Present |
| 6 | Present |
| 7 | Past |
| 8 | Present |
| 9 | Future |
| 10 | Future |
| 11 | Present |
| 12 | Future |
| 13 | Past |
| 14 | Future |
| 15 | Future |

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## 💡 TEACHING NOTE:
This exercise helps students recognize time markers and verb forms that indicate tense:
- Past: -ed endings, irregular past forms (sent, designed), was/were + past participle
- Present: base form (except 3rd person singular adds -s), modals like “can”, “know”
- Future: “will” + base verb, “going to” (not used here)

Great practice for building grammar awareness!

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for review! 📘✔