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The Simple Present Tense

The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. It is used to describe an action which is happening right now, or which happens regularly.

Structure: Subject + Base Form+’s’ or ‘es’ + rest of the sentence

The Simple present tense with 'be' verb

Here's how to make the positive:

To make the negative with 'be', just add 'not':

To make a question, change the position of 'be' and the subject.

Here are the present simple 'yes / no' questions with 'be':

To make 'wh' questions with 'be' (the question word just goes at the beginning, everything else is the same):

The Simple Present with other verbs

Positive with Other Verbs:

To make the positive add 's' if the subject is singular.

Some verbs have present simple spelling changes with singular subjects:

Verbs that end in 'y' often change 'y' to 'ie' before 's':

'y' doesn't change to 'ie' if the ending is 'ay', 'ey', 'oy', 'uy'.

Verbs that end in 's', 'sh', 'ch' or 'x' often add 'e' before 's':

There are also few verbs which are irregular in the present simple:

  • 'have' becomes 'has'
  • 'do' becomes 'does'
  • 'go' becomes 'goes'

To make the negative form, use 'do not' (don't) or ' does not' (doesn't).

  • I do not play / I don't play
  • You do not play / You don't play
  • He does not play / He doesn't play
  • She does not play / She doesn't play
  • It does not play / It doesn't play
  • We do not play / we don't play
  • They do not play / They don't play

To make the negative form, use 'do not' (don't) or ' does not' (doesn't).

  • I do not play / I don't play
  • You do not play / You don't play
  • He does not play / He doesn't play
  • She does not play / She doesn't play
  • It does not play / It doesn't play
  • We do not play / we don't play
  • They do not play / They don't play

To make questions,Just put 'do' or 'does' before the subject.

Here are the 'yes / no' questions:

  • Do I play?
  • Do you play?
  • Does he play?
  • Does she play?
  • Do we play?
  • Do they play?

To make a 'wh' question, put the question word at the beginning of the sentence:

  • Where do I play?
  • What do you play?
  • Why does he play?
  • Who does she play?
  • When do we play?
  • How do they play?

Usage:

  1. Something which is true or factual
    • General – “Chinese people eat a lot of rice.”
    • Habitual – “I drink coffee every day.”
    • Permanent – “I am a teacher.” “He is a father.”
    • Mathematical/scientific – “One plus one equals two.” “Water freezes at 0c.”
    • Recurring – “It snows every winter.”
  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.”