Verbs, Tenses and Modals: Class 5 Study Guide
Verbs show actions and states. Tenses tell us when something happens.
A verb is a doing word (run, write) or a state word (is, seem). The tense tells us when: past, present or future. Each tense has simple, continuous and perfect forms. Auxiliary verbs (is, am, are, was, were, has, have, had, will) help main verbs form tenses.
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) show ability, permission, possibility or duty. The verb after a modal stays in its base form: She can swim, not She can swims.
The main tenses
| Tense | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | She plays | She played | She will play |
| Continuous | She is playing | She was playing | She will be playing |
| Perfect | She has played | She had played | She will have played |
Subject-verb agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. The boy runs; the boys run. Collective nouns usually take a singular verb when the group acts together (The team is ready). Words like each, every and everyone are singular. When two subjects are joined by and, use a plural verb: Ria and Asha are friends.
Who or what does the action?
Count the doers.
plays or play?
Past, present or future?
Modal verbs in use
Use can for ability (I can ride a bicycle), may for permission (May I come in?), must for duty (You must wear a helmet), should for advice (You should drink water) and might for a weak possibility (It might rain).
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: 'By the time we arrived, the film had started.' (past perfect). Common mistakes: using the wrong tense for a time word (Yesterday I go), adding -s after a modal and mixing tenses in a paragraph. Read your writing aloud and underline every verb to check the tense.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. She was reading. 2. Each of the girls is ready. 3. May.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Tenses show past, present and future.
- Each tense has simple, continuous and perfect forms.
- Singular subjects take singular verbs.
- A modal is followed by the base verb.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Write the past continuous of 'read': She ___.
- Correct: Each of the girls are ready.
- Choose the modal: ___ I borrow your pen?
Print lined paper for writing →