Rule: Four Tenses Together ShowHide

Present Simple

Habits and facts. he / she / it + -s.

We often travel by plane.
They don't leave home late.
Does she like tea?

always · usually · often · sometimes · seldom · never · every day

Present Continuous

Happening now. am / is / are + -ing.

Ann is drinking tea now.
He isn't reading a book.
Is he wearing jeans today?

now · right now · at the moment · today · Look! · Listen!

Past Simple

Finished in the past. -ed or an irregular form: went, saw, built.

Mr Chris worked hard last week.
She didn't bring her books.
Did you see the film?

yesterday · last week · two days ago · in 1996

Future Simple

The future. will + verb, the same for everybody.

Bob will play the drums next week.
We won't be late.
Will they watch TV tomorrow?

tomorrow · next week · soon · in two days

When you make a sentence negative, keep the tense: plays → doesn't play, is playing → isn't playing, played → didn't play, will play → won't play.

Games on Four Tenses Together

Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.

Open the Box · 15 boxesFour Tenses Together team game (A1)A team game for A1: open a box and answer – Four Tenses Together.Play

Flashcards · 24 cardsFour Tenses Together practice (A1)Cards for A1: answer, then flip the card to check – Four Tenses Together.Play

Play this exercise

The sentences of this exercise as a game – nothing to set up.

Open the BoxTeam gameOpen a box, answer, win points.Play

FlashcardsFlip and checkSay the answer, then flip the card.Play