How to Choose the Correct Tense for Class 5 and 4 (Easy Rules and Examples)

This lesson is about choosing the correct tense in English grammar for class 5 students. It explains how the use of tense changes in different situations and the time of action. The tenses for class 5 are explained in a simple, easy way with example sentences. It is good for ICSE and CBSE students. Common errors help students avoid mistakes when using tenses in their daily lives. It also contains tense rules for class 5.

How to Choose the Correct Tense for Class 5 for Different Situations

Step 1: Identify the Time of Action

It is important to identify the time of action while using tenses. The three main tenses are past, present, and future.

Ask yourself this question: When did the action happen?

Time	Use this tense
Past	Past tense
Present	Present tense
Future	Future tense

1. The Present Tense: John studies hard.
2. The Past Tense: John studied hard.
3. The Future Tense: John will study hard.

Step 2: Check the Situation Type

The use of tense depends on the type of situation.

1. Use Present Simple for Daily Routine and Facts

Use the Simple Present Tense for daily routine or habits. It can also be used to state facts.

For example:

• He goes to school at 8.00 am.
• She always reads a magazine.
• She likes animals.
• He wakes up at 7.00 am.

1. Use Present Continuous for Actions Happening Now

For example, I am reading.

This shows that the action is still happening now. The action is still incomplete and is continuing. You can use words like now or at the moment.

• My mother is cooking now.
• The children are playing cricket.
• I am watching television at the moment.
• She is drawing in her notebook.

1. Use Past Simple for Completed Actions in the Past

It is used to express an action that took place in the past time.

For example:

• She cleaned her room yesterday.
• He went to school in the morning.
• I saw a butterfly in the afternoon.

You can use words like yesterday, in the morning, in the afternoon, last week, last month, last year, etc. These are different time expressions which are used while making sentences using simple past tense.

1. Use Future Simple for Future Actions

To express some future action or event, use the simple future tense.

For example:

• I will go to the market in the evening.
• They will buy a new car next week.
• He will arrive in an hour.
• She will come here on Monday.

Use different time expressions like tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next Monday, etc.

Step 3: Look for Signal Words

Signal words help identify the correct tense.

Signal Words	Tense
yesterday, ago, last	Past
now, currently	Present Continuous
every day, always	Present Simple
tomorrow, next	Future

Step 4: Check if Action is Complete or Continuing

Situation	Tense Example
Completed	I drank water.
Continuing now	I am drinking water.
Will happen	I will drink water.

Step 5: Ask These 3 Simple Questions

You should ask yourself three questions while using the tenses.

1. When did the action happen?
2. Is the action completed or still happening?
3. Is the action happening now, a daily routine, or a future event?

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Correct Tense for Class 5.

1. ❌ I am go to school.
   ✔ I go to school.
2. ❌ She sit in the first bench yesterday.
   ✔ She sat in the first bench yesterday.
3. ❌ I will reading a story book tomorrow.
   ✔ I will read a storybook tomorrow.

Choosing the correct tense becomes easy when you identify:

• Time of action
• Type of situation
• Signal words

Thus, this is the correct tense for class 5 explained in detail.

Also Read:-

1. 100 Simple Future Tense Example Sentences with Structure and Usage
2. 30 Future Perfect Continuous Tense Example Sentences That’ll Blow Your Mind
3. Simple Present Tense Worksheet
4. Present Perfect Tense Active and Passive Voice Exercise: 50 Sentences
5. Mastering the Past Perfect Continuous Tense: 100 Example Sentences and Exercises to Boost Your Grammar Skills
6. The Future Perfect Tense: 100 Examples Sentences |Structure & Their Formula!|
7. List of 50 Vocabulary Words for Class 3 | Best Words with Meanings