Rule: Three Tenses Together ShowHide

Present Simple

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

She often paints pictures.
They don't leave home late.
Do you sing songs?

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

Present Continuous

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

He is reading a book.
We aren't playing a game.
Are Tom and John playing football?

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

Past Simple

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

He built a sandcastle.
She didn't bring her books.
Did you help your dad?

yesterday · last week · two days ago · in 1996

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

Games on Three Tenses Together

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

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

Flashcards · 24 cardsThree Tenses Together practice (A1)Cards for A1: answer, then flip the card to check – Three 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