Tenses - Japanese Grammar

Tenses exercises in Japanese grammar are fundamental when learning the language. Unlike English, Japanese language uses contextual clues rather than definite tenses. Usually, there are two main tenses: past and non-past (present and future). To practice, students engage in exercises that test their grasp on the conjugation of verbs and adjectives in both tenses, including irregular forms. The verb’s last syllable often determines verb tense in Japanese: „taberu“ (to eat) becomes „tabemasu“ in present tense, and „tabemashita“ in past tense. Students also learn how to use adverbs to show ongoing or scheduled actions, thus delimiting the future. Dedicated exercises help learners form negative sentences, since these differ significantly from positive sentences in term of tense. Over time, students become proficient in using the right tense according to context, a critical communication skill. The exercises focus on forming correct sentences and enhancing understanding, which ultimately helps in mastering the Japanese language.