Simple Present Tense | English Grammar

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Introduction to Simple Present Tense

As the name suggests, simple present tense is the most basic form of present tense. It basically serves the following two purposes:

Simple present tense represents an action that is happening at the moment.

OR

Simple present tense is used when an action repeatedly takes place.

How to form sentences in simple present tense?

In order to make sentences in simple present tense, we follow the following formats.

How to make affirmative sentences in Simple Present Tense?

Either we use the base form of the verb OR we add -es or -s to the base form of the verb to form sentences in simple present tense.

For example,

·         Talk becomes talks

·         Do changes to does

·         Seek into seeks and the list goes on.

Simple Present Tense affirmative sentences in First Person Perspective

The base form of a verb is used in sentences with first person, where the subject is “I” or “WE”.

I/We + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

For example,

·         I love the chocolate cake that my mother bakes.

·         We play tennis on the tennis court every evening.

·         I eat a lot when I am stressed.

·         We watch animated movies every weekend.

Simple Present Tense affirmative sentences in Second Person Perspective

The base form of a verb is used in sentences with the second person, where the subject is “YOU”. For example,

You + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

For example,

·         You stare at the sky as if an entire world is hidden in it.

·         You need to change those clothes before the guests arrive.

Simple Present Tense affirmative sentences in third Person Perspective

The base form of a verb with an -s or -es is used when the subject of the verb is singular (He, She, It or a name) . For example,

He/She/It/Noun + Root form of verb (-s or -es) + Object (if any)

For example,

·         Julia thinks she is capable of doing anything anyone can do.

·         She dances better when nobody is watching.

·         Harry goes to the peace park every day.

·         It gets warm easily.

·         He learns to speak new languages quickly.

The base form of verb is used when the subject of the verb is plural (they or more than one name). For example,

They/Multiple Nouns + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

·         They feel the same about the book as I do.

·         Joana and Aliya love to hangout together. They enjoy each other’s company.

How to make negative sentences in Simple Present Tense?

In order to make negative sentences in simple present tense, we either put do not or does not before the verb, depending upon the subject of the verb.

Simple Present Tense negative sentences in First Person Perspective

For the first person, we put do not before the verb.

I/We + do not/ don’t + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

For example,

·         I do not like cheese in my egg sandwich.

·         I do not play Need for Speed anymore.

Simple Present Tense sentences in Second Person Perspective

For the second person, we put do not before the verb.

You + do not/don’t + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

For example,

·         You do not have to give up just because you cannot face the consequences of what happened.

·         You do not let your past interfere with your future.

Simple Present Tense sentences in Third Person Perspective

For the third person singular, we put does not before the verb.

He/She/It/Noun + does not/doesn’t + Root form of verb + Object (if any)

For example,

·         Jack does not complete his homework on time.

·         Daniel does not like to go out and meet people.

For the third person plural, we put do not before the verb.

They/Multiple Nouns + do not/don’t + Root form of verb + Object (if any)or example,

For example,

·         Helen and Sam do not consume meat after the rumours.

·         They do not talk much about what happened that night.

With “to be” verbs (is and are), we simply put a NOT after the verb.

Subject (I, We, You, He, She, It, They, Nouns) + to be verb + not + object (if any)

 For example,

·         I am not a student of law.

·         Liam is not very fond of mousse cakes.

·         Miley and Justin are not interested in pairing up for the project work.

How to ask questions in Simple Present Tense?

In order to ask questions in simple present tense, we follow the following format for first person, second person and third person plural,

Do + subject + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

·         Do I get the honour to have a word with you?

·         Do you suggest the movie that you watched yesterday?

·         Do Selena and Alex believe in superstitions?

We follow the following format for third person singular,

Does + subject + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

·         Does Joana love to eat an Apple pie?

·         Does Tom drive really fast like his father?

Note: Remember not to add -s and -es with does under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.