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Grade 2 · Grammar · Verbs

2nd Grade Past and Present Verbs worksheets

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Past and Present Verbs

Grade 2 Grammar Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Write each verb in the past tense.

  1. Read this first

    Tip

    Add -ed to most verbs: walk, walked. If the verb ends in e, add just -d: bake, baked. If it ends in one short vowel and a consonant, double the last letter: hop, hopped. If it ends in a consonant and y, change the y to i: carry, carried.

  2. Yesterday, Mia (copy) the words from the board.

  3. Last night, Hank (rub) the sleepy dog's ears.

  4. Last week, the bunny (hop) across the grass.

  5. Yesterday afternoon, Dan (save) a seat for me.

  6. This morning, Mom (bake) a cake for the party.

  7. Last summer, Owen (nod) and said yes.

  8. Yesterday, Gus (wrap) the gift in blue paper.

  9. Last night, the towels (dry) in the sun.

  10. Last week, Jo (grab) her coat and ran.

  11. Yesterday afternoon, Tom (close) the door softly.

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2nd Grade Past and Present Verbs worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Past and present tense tell a reader when an action happens. Second graders usually say the past tense correctly out loud but stumble on the spelling in writing, especially when the ending changes: hop becomes hopped, bake becomes baked, and carry becomes carried. This worksheet has one job. Every sentence starts with a time clue such as yesterday or last week and shows the verb in brackets in its present form.

Your child writes the same verb in the past tense on the line. Because the time clue is always there, the only thing being practiced is how the verb changes. Before your child writes, ask what happened: did it already happen, or is it happening now? Then check the ending together. Verbs that end in e only need a d, short verbs often double the last letter, and verbs ending in y change to ied.

What your child will learn

  • Use a time clue to choose the past tense
  • Add -ed or -d to regular verbs
  • Double the last letter when the spelling needs it
  • Change y to i before -ed

Common Core standard: L.2.1.D

Worked example

Yesterday, Mia (walk) to the park. The clue says it already happened, so the verb is walked.

Common mistake

Writing the present verb after a past time clue, such as Yesterday, Mia walk to the park.

Helpful hint

Read the time clue first, then change the verb to match.

Next skill: AdjectivesEarlier: Action Verbs

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with past and present verbs?

Writing the present verb after a past time clue, such as Yesterday, Mia walk to the park.

How can I help my child with past and present verbs?

Read the time clue first, then change the verb to match.

Are these 2nd grade grammar worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Action Verbs · Linking Verbs

More 2nd grade verbs

See all verbs

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