Simple Present Tense - Tenses, English Grammar Basics Verbal Notes | EduRev

The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end.

Example - I feel great! Pauline loves pie. I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick. The other is to talk about habitual actions or occurrences.

Example - Pauline practices the piano every day. Ms. Jackson travels during the summer. Hamsters run all night.

Typically, when we want to describe a temporary action that is currently in progress, we use the present continuous: Pauline can’t come to the phone right now because she is brushing her teeth.

Formation of Simple Present Tense

In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-person singular (which ends in -s).

• First-person singular: I write
• Second-person singular: You write
• Third-person singular: He/she/it writes (note the ‑s)
• First-person plural: We write
• Second-person plural: You write
• Third-person plural: They write

For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with -es instead of -s. Typically, these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.

• First-person singular: I go
• Second-person singular: You go
• Third-person singular: He/she/it goes (note the ‑es)
• First-person plural: We go
• Second-person plural: You go
• Third-person plural: They go

For most regular verbs, you put the negation of the verb before the verb, e.g. “She won’t go” or “I don’t smell anything.”

The verb to be is irregular:

• First-person singular: I am
• Second-person singular: You are
• Third-person singular: He/she/it is
• First-person plural: We are
• Second-person plural: You are
• Third-person plural: They are

How to Make the Simple Present Negative

The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root form of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not or does not. Ex. - Pauline does not want to share the pie. She doesn’t think there is enough to go around. Her friends do not agree. I don’t want pie anyway.

To make the verb to be negative, the formula is [to be] + not. Ex. - I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is. You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.

How to Ask a Question

The formula for asking a question in the simple present is do/does + [subject] + [root form of verb]. Ex. - Do you know how to bake a pie? How much does Pauline love pie?

The Verb to Be in the Simple Present

Common Verbs in the Simple Present

Affirmative Form

Subject + Verb + Complement
I speak English.

Negative Form

Subject + Don't / Doesn't + Verb + Complement
I don't speak English.

Uses of Simple Present Tense

1. To show a habit
We drink coffee every morning.

2. To express a general truth
Water boils at 100 degrees.

3. To express an action with a future time expression
I leave tomorrow.

Example Sentences

1. We buy a newspaper every Sunday.
2. He doesn't visit his father.
3. Does she lie to her mother?
4. My sister works at the theater.
5. The boss gives us a lot of work to do.
6. Marry and Lucas don't play fairly.
7. Do you like to read comic books?
8. They spend a lot of money.