Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present tense is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and fixed arrangements.

Structure#

1. Affirmative Sentences:

   • Subject + base form of the verb (+ s/es for third person singular)

   Examples:

   • I walk to school.
   • She walks to school.

2. Negative Sentences:

   • Subject + do/does + not + base form of the verb

   Examples:

   • I do not (don’t) walk to school.
   • She does not (doesn’t) walk to school.

3. Interrogative Sentences:

   • Do/Does + subject + base form of the verb?

   Examples:

   • Do you walk to school?
   • Does she walk to school?

Spelling Rules for Third Person Singular#

1. General Rule:

   • Add -s to the base form.
   • Example: run -> runs

2. Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, or -o:

   • Add -es.
   • Example: watch -> watches, go -> goes

3. Verbs ending in a consonant + y:

   • Change -y to -ies.
   • Example: study -> studies

Uses of Simple Present Tense#

1. Habitual Actions:

   • Actions that happen regularly or habitually.
   • Example: He goes to the gym every day.

2. General Truths:

   • Facts or statements that are always true.
   • Example: The sun rises in the east.

3. Scheduled Events:

   • Fixed arrangements, usually in the near future.
   • Example: The train leaves at 6 PM.

4. Instructions or Directions:

   • Used to give instructions or directions.
   • Example: You take the first left and then go straight.

5. Stative Verbs:

   • Verbs that describe a state rather than an action, often used in the simple present.
   • Example: She knows the answer.

Common Time Expressions#

In the Simple Present tense, common time expressions are used to indicate how frequently or when actions occur.

• Frequency Adverbs:

  • Always: She always drinks coffee in the morning.
  • Usually: He usually walks to work.
  • Often: They often visit their grandparents.
  • Sometimes: I sometimes read before bed.
  • Rarely: She rarely eats out.
  • Never: He never smokes.

• Specific Days:

  • Every day: She runs every day.
  • On Mondays: We have meetings on Mondays.
  • Every weekend: They travel every weekend.

• Times of Day:

  • In the morning: I exercise in the morning.
  • In the afternoon: He studies in the afternoon.
  • At night: They watch TV at night.

• General Frequencies:

  • Once a week: She cleans the house once a week.
  • Twice a month: They go out to dinner twice a month.
  • Three times a year: We travel three times a year.

Special Cases: The Verb “To Be”#

• “To be” is used to describe states, conditions, or characteristics.
• It does not require an auxiliary verb like “do” or “does” in questions or negatives.
• The verb changes depending on the subject, unlike other verbs that generally only change for the third person singular.

Forms of “To Be” in Simple Present#

• Affirmative:

  • I am (I’m)
    • Example: I am a teacher.
  • He/She/It is (He’s/She’s/It’s)
    • Example: She is happy.
  • You/We/They are (You’re/We’re/They’re)
    • Example: They are friends.

• Negative:

  • I am not (I’m not)
    • Example: I am not tired.
  • He/She/It is not (He’s not / He isn’t, She’s not / She isn’t, It’s not / it isn’t)
    • Example: He is not (isn’t) late.
  • You/We/They are not (You’re not / You aren’t, We’re not / We aren’t, They’re not / They aren’t)
    • Example: We are not (aren’t) hungry.

• Interrogative:

  • Am I?
    • Example: Am I on time?
  • Is he/she/it?
    • Example: Is she your sister?
  • Are you/we/they?
    • Example: Are they coming?