Know Your Terminology: Past, Present and Future Tenses

The word tense comes from the Latin word for time, and it is used to show when actions are taking place.

The present tense is used for things that are happening now or happen regularly.

Jamie is riding his bike.

Jamie rides his bike every day.

The past tense is used for things that have already happened.

Jamie rode his bike to school yesterday.

The future tense is used for things that are going to happen.

Jamie will ride his bike to school tomorrow.

Jamie is going to ride his bike to school tomorrow.