I. The Simple Present or The Present Indefinite Tense
In the simple present tense we normally use the root (first) form of the verb. But with he, she, it and other third person singular subjects, we add –s or –es to the root form of the verb.
Structure
Positive or Affirmative Sentences | Sub + V1 + s or es (V1 or V3 form of verb) |
Negative Sentences | Sub + do not/ does not + V1 |
Interrogative Sentences | Do/ Does + sub + V1 + ? |
Interrogative-negative Sentences | Do/ Does + sub + not + V1 + ? |
Let’s understand them with examples:
Positive or Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Interrogative negative |
I play. | I do not play. | Do I play? | Do I not play? |
We play. | We do not play. | Do we play? | Do we not play? |
You play. | You do not play. | Do you play? | Do you not play? |
He/ She/ It (all other third person singular subjects) plays. | He/ She/ It does not Play | Does he/ she/ it play? | Does he/ she/ it not play |
They (all other third person plural subjects) play. | They do not play. | Do they play? | Do they not play? |
Note:
Short form of do not = don’t
Short form of doest not = doesn’t
Uses
The Simple Present Tense is used to
1. express custom or habitual actions; e.g.,
(i) The cow gives milk.
(ii) Children play in the evening.
(iii) My grandmother tells stories at bedtime.
(iv) I never tell a lie.
2. express permanent truth; e.g.,
(i) The sun rises in the east.
(ii) Stars twinkle in the sky.
(iii) Man is mortal.
(iv) Honesty is the best policy.
3. express a fact which is true at the time of speaking; e.g.,
(i) My uncle lives in London.
(ii) The Rajdhani Express stops at this station.
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1. What is the simple present tense? |
2. How do we form the simple present tense? |
3. What are some examples of sentences in the simple present tense? |
4. When do we use the simple present tense? |
5. Can we use adverbs with the simple present tense? |
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