Simple Present Tense is a type of sentence that has a function to express an activity or fact that occurs in the present, and structurally or its arrangement, simple present tense uses only one verb.
Present Tense is one of the forms of verb tenses. It simply describes the actions, truths(facts), future and situations. It is very easy to form and uses b
It is a verb tense. A ‘verb’ is an action word. The ‘tense’ is the time of the action. The ‘present’ is now. It shows how the past is connected to the present/now.
See also: All Verb Tenses
Structure / Formula
Formula of the simple present tense affirmative is,
Subject + Base Form(V1)+’s’ or ‘es’ + rest of the sentence
If the subject is he, she or it, there is addition of ‘s’ or ‘es’ with base form. For example, He eats apples daily.
If the subject is you, we, they or any plural form, only base form is used. For example, They eat apples daily.
Simple Present Tense Negative
Subject + do not / does not + base form + rest of the sentence.
With the singular subject we use ‘does not’ while with the plural, we use ‘do not’. For example,
- He does not eat apples daily.
- They do not eat apples daily.
Simple Present Tense Interrogative
Do / Does + subject + base form + rest of the sentence +?
Interrogative sentences start with ‘do’ or ‘does’. For example,
- Does he eat apples daily?
- Do they eat apples daily?
You may also like: Tenses Chart
Usage
Use the Present Simple in English for:
1. Something which is true or factual –
1.1 General – “Chinese people eat a lot of rice.”
1.2 Permanent – “I am a teacher.” “He is a father.”
1.3 Mathematical/scientific – “One plus one equals two.” “Water freezes at 0c.”
1.4 Habitual – “I drink coffee every day.”
1.5 Recurring – “It snows every winter.”
1.6 Eternal/Unvarying – “The Bible says ‘You must not kill’.”
1.7 Mental state – “I think she is very kind.”
2 Describing Feelings and Senses – “I feel very cold.” “Im freezing.”
3 Giving instructions, directions or demonstrations – “Open the box on the table, take out the hand beater and beat the eggs until they are creamy.”
4 Media (newspapers, radio announcements, television broadcasts) – “Earthquake hits New Zealand.”
5 Timetables – “The train leaves at midnight.”
6 After ‘when’ or ‘if’ to form a time clause (also called the ‘General or Zero Conditional) – “I like to ski when it snows.” “When it snows, I like to ski.” Note the comma in the second example.
Examples
Affirmative Sentences
- My friend helps me.
- Teacher talks to his students regularly.
- I walk daily early in the morning.
- They discuss literature with each other.
- She takes exercise regularly.
Negative Sentences
- I do not like mathematics.
- He does not fall in the category of eligible candidates for a job.
- The garden does not look attractive.
- He does not attend his class regularly.
- They do not talk to each other.
Interrogative Sentences
- Do you like Mathematics?
- Does he belong to Rome?
- Do they perform their duties honestly?
- Does he attend his class regularly?
- Does she take exercise daily?
Exercises
- Do you ________ how to speak German? (know)
- She ________ as an Accountant in a private firm. (work)
- I do not _______ Mathematics. (like)
- The sun _______ in the west. (set)
- He does not _______ novels. (write)
- David ______ his room everyday. (clean)
- I ______ up at 4:00 am everyday. (wake)
- Julie does not _______ her car. (drive)
- Do you ______ tennis? (play)
- They ______ books late night. (study)
View: Simple Present Tense Practice Test
Answers
- know
- works
- like
- sets
- write
- cleans
- wake
- drive
- play
- study
Worksheet
