• Unit 1: Now and Then – Present and Past Tense

    Unit 1 introduces you to two tenses used in Standard American English: simple present and simple past. In English, we use tenses to tell us when something happens. Is an event happening now? Did it already happen? The way we use verbs, called the tense of the verb, tells us this. In this unit, you will learn how to recognize tenses, what makes them different, and when each is used. You’ll learn about the verb "to be" and how it is used in a sentence. Finally, you will practice identifying tenses and writing your own short phrases in past, present, and present perfect tense. 

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • recognize past and present tense.

    • 1.1: Simple Present Tense

      • Present Tense Page

        Verbs in English are used to show action, and the way we use them can tell a reader if an action happened in the past or is happening right now. To show an action is happening now, we use the present tense. Simple present tense uses just the verb and its form, or conjugation, to tell the reader what action is taking place. Read this article to better understand how English uses the three main tenses: present, past, and future. Then listen to the lesson on simple present tense and complete the exercises.


    • 1.2: Simple Past Tense

      • Past Tense Page

        Just like simple present tense, simple past tense uses the verb's forms, or conjugations, to show that an action happened in the past. By changing a verb you can let your reader know that something has already happened. Listen to the lesson on simple present tense and complete the exercises.


    • 1.3: Present Perfect Using "To Be" Verbs

      • Present Perfect Tense Page

        The more words you learn, the more you'll want to connect them in sentences. The verb "to be" conjugates very differently from other verbs, but using it can link words together or help other verbs be more clear for a reader. "To be", and other verbs like it, are called auxiliary and linking verbs. "To be" is also used to write about the past when something may have happened many times or the time it happened isn't known. Read this article for more information on auxiliary and linking verbs, then complete the exercise.

      • Unit 1 Discussion: Writing in Present and Past Tense URL

        In this unit, you learned how to recognize past and present verbs. Now it’s time to practice making sentences of your own in past and present tense. Write FIVE sentences in present tense describing things you do every day and then convert them to past tense. Then, share your thoughts on the discussion forum. Make sure to review and respond to one or two other students' posts as well.

    • Unit 1 Assessment

      • Unit 1 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

            • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
            • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
            • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.