2nd grade past, present, and future verbs worksheets
Every verb tells when: the past (walked, sang), the present (walks, sings), or the future (will walk, will sing). Second graders sort verbs and explain their choices: the -ed ending, the -s ending, or the helper will.
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.1.1.e.
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The kind of words you'll sort
Write each verb from the bank under Past, Present, or Future.
takesgavewill jumpwill takewill runfliessingskickedwill drawlaughssangsat
Columns: Past and Present and Future. "gave" belongs under past; "takes" belongs under present; "will jump" belongs under future.
Every print pulls a fresh set of word lists at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.
What's on each sheet
- Sorting. Write each verb from the bank under Past, Present, or Future. 21 words per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Teach the three flags explicitly: -ed flags the past, -s flags the present, will flags the future. Then complicate it kindly with a few irregular pasts (sang, ran) so students learn the flags are clues, not guarantees. Sorting aloud beats sorting silently at this age.
Watch for: The future never changes the verb itself; it borrows the helper will. On these sheets, if you see will, it's future. Some past verbs skip -ed and change instead: sang, wrote, ran. They're still past.
Common questions about past, present, and future verbs
- What are the clues for each tense?
- Three flags: -ed on the end means past, -s on the end means present (he walks), and will in front means future. The flags cover most verbs a 2nd grader meets, and the exceptions (sang, ran) make good discussion moments rather than obstacles.
- Why does the future use "will" instead of an ending?
- English simply never grew a future ending; it recruits the helper will instead. Kids find it satisfying that the future is the easy one: if will is standing in front, the answer is future, no exceptions at this level.
Related worksheets
- 1st grade past, present, and future verbs A step easier, same skill
- 3rd grade past, present, and future verbs A step harder, same skill
- 2nd grade action verbs Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade adverbs of how, when, and where Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade articles (a, an, the) Same grade, nearby skill
- Past, present, and future verbs, all grades The full progression
- All 2nd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 2nd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.e. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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