Simple Present Tense

What is Simple Present Tense

Simple present tense is also called present simple. We use the simple present tense to talk about regular or habitual actions.It is the most basic and common tense in English and it’s really important to understand well.

How do we make the simple present tense?

This page will explain the rules for forming the simple present tense sentences. We want to remember the general structure of English sentences before we start. In this way, you can easily understand .
First, let us see the structure of simple present tense.
General Structure
1. Affirmative (Positive) Sentence

Subject	Verb	Rest of the sentence
I, We, You, They	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence.
He, She, It	Verb -e(s)(Present)	Rest of the sentence.

2. Negative Sentence

Subject	Auxiliary	Verb	Rest of the sentence
I, We, You, They	do + not	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence.
He, She, It	does + not	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence.

• 3. Yes/No type Question

Auxiliary	Subject	Verb	Rest of the sentence
Do	I, We, You, They	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence.
Does	He, She, It	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence.

• 4.Information Question?

Question Word	Auxiliary	Subject	Verb	Rest of the sentence
QW	Do	I, We, You, They	Verb	Rest of the sentence.
QW	Does	He, She, It	Verb	Rest of the sentence.

Important Note:

• Verb – present
• Auxiliary verb – Do and Does
• I, We, You, They – Do
• He, She, It – Does

1. Affirmative (Positive) Sentences

Subject	Verb (Present Tense)	Rest of the sentence
I	work	on my website every day.
You	learn	English at home.
We	like	joyful music.
He	speaks	English well.
She	writes	a letter.
It	takes	time.
They	play	cricket every Sunday.

Rules:

• For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary verbs.
• If 3rd person singular (He, she, it) comes as a subject -(e)s is added to the simple form of the verb.

2. Negative Sentences

Subject	Auxiliary + Not	Verb (Present Tense)	Rest of the sentence
I	do not	work	on my website every day.
You	do not	learn	English at home.
We	do not	like	joyful music.
He	does not	speak	English well.
She	does not	write	a letter.
It	does not	take	time.
They	do not	play	cricket every Sunday.

Rules:

• Auxiliary verbs “Do and Does” are necessary to use.
• I, We , You, They – Do.
• He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does.
• -(e)s is never used. It is only used in affirmative sentences.

3. Yes/No type Question

Auxiliary	Subject	Verb (Present Tense)	Rest of the sentence?
Do	I	work	on my website every day?
Do	you	learn	English at home?
Do	we	like	joyful music?
Does	he	speak	English well?
Does	She	write	a letter?
Does	it	take	time?
Do	they	play	cricket every Sunday?
Does	Ram	live	in Chennai?

Rules:

• The Auxiliary verb Do and Does are used in the beginning of the sentences.
• I, We , You, They – Do
• He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does
• -(e)s is never used. It ends with question mark (?).

4. Information Questions

Question Word	Auxiliary	Subject	Verb(Present)	Rest of the sentence?
When	do	I	work	on my website?
Where	do	you	learn	English?
Which music	do	we	like	?
How	does	he	speak	English?
What	does	she	write	?
How long	does	it	take	?
Where	do	they	play	cricket every Sunday?
Where	does	Ram	live	?

Rules:

• Question words are used in the beginning of the sentences.
• I, We , You, They – Do
• He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does
• -(e)s is never used. It ends with question mark (?).

When should we use the simple present tense?

Now we know how to make the present simple sentences. We use simple present tense in several different situations.

Use 1: Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or regular. The action can be a daily event, a habit, a hobby, a scheduled event or something that often happens.

• I walk to work every day.
• When does the train usually leave?
• Ram speaks English very well.
• Tom lives in India

Use 2 Facts or Generalizations

We use the Simple Present for statements that are always true:

• We come from Switzerland.
• Summer follows spring.
• The moon travels around the earth.

Use 3 Future reference

This use is often related to timetables and events in the calendar

• The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
• The concert begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.30.
• The party starts at 8 o’clock.

Use 4 Observations and declarations

We commonly use the Simple Present with other verbs to make observations and declarations in the course of conversation:

• I hope/assume/suppose/promise everything will be all right.
• I declare this exhibition open.