Unpacked Standard
L.5.1.c
Standard: L.5.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English
grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
c. Use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states, and
conditions.
Language Progressive Skills by Grade: The skills, marked with an asterisk (*) in
Language standards 1–3, are particularly likely to require continued attention in
higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking.
Unpacked Standard:
An understanding of language is essential for effective communication. “The
inclusion of language standards in their own strand should not be taken as an
indication that skills related to conventions, knowledge of language, and
vocabularies are unimportant to reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing;
indeed, they are inseparable from such contexts.”
Students must have a strong command of the grammar and usage of spoken and
written Standard English. Standards that are related to conventions are appropriate
to formal spoken English as they are to formal written English.
c. Verb Tense Conveys Times, Sequences, States, and Conditions:
Verbs tell what the subject of the sentence does or is.
A verb in present tense tells what is happening now or what happens on a
regular basis.
 Lisa walks to her friend’s house after school.
A verb in past tense tells about an action that already happened.
 Lisa walked to her friend’s house after school.
A verb in future tense tells about an action that is going to happen. Use the
word will in front of the verb.
 Lisa will walk to her friend’s house after school.