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.

2nd grade past, present, and future verbs

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.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of words you'll sort

Write each verb from the bank under Past, Present, or Future.

singsbakedwill singlaughssmiledplayedwill gobakeswentwill drinkwill takesits

Columns: Past and Present and Future. "played" belongs under past; "sings" belongs under present; "will drink" belongs under future.

Every print pulls a new set of words at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 2nd grade sheet

2nd grade sheets draw from 90 words, 21 to a page. None of these words are on 1st grade sheets. 1st grade sheets print 15 to a page.

Some of the words:

gavetolddrankpaintsthrowswill jumpwill hopwill sleepwill climbwill throw

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 2nd grade 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.

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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.e. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 240, updated July 2026.

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