Simple Present Tense

Simple Present Tense
1. Definition of Simple Present
According to Wikipedia that simple present, present simple or present

indefinite is one of the verb forms associated with the present tense in modern
English. It is commonly referred to as a tense, although it also encodes certain
information about aspect in addition to present time.
It is called "simple" because its basic form consists of a single word (like write
or writes), in contrast with other present tense forms such as the present
progressive (is writing) and present perfect (has written). For nearly all English
verbs the simple present is identical to the base form (dictionary form) of the verb,
except when the subject is third-person singular, in which case the ending -(e)s is
added. There are a few verbs with irregular forms, the most notable being the
copula be, which has the simple present forms am, is and are.
For examples
John lives in New York.

We play football every day.
You are really kind.
The meeting starts at 3 PM.
While according to English Tenses that Present Simple is the most basic tense
in the English language. It is an interesting tense because it can be used to express
the future. Generally, though, we use it to describe the present activities or to talk
about routines or habits.
1
2. Use of Simple Present
a. Facts, generalizations and universal truths

b. Habits and routines
c. Permanent situations
d. Events that are certain to happen
e. Arrangements that we can't change (e.g. timetables, official meetings)
f. State verbs (e.g. be, have, suppose, know)
g. Narrations, instructions or commentaries
Note
Apart from the above uses, this tense is also used in:
Zero Conditional ("If it doesn't rains, I go play football.")

First Conditional ("We won't get our pocket money, if we don't pass this
exam.")
In sentences after when, before, till, after, as soon as ("Before you leave,
please take the keys.")
Use 1: Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths
We use the Present Simple to talk about universal truths (for example, laws of
nature) or things we believe are, or are not, true. It's also used to generalize about
something or somebody.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truth

It is a big house. Fact
The Earth goes around the Sun. Universal Truth, Fact
Dogs are better than cats. Generalization
Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Fact
The Elephant doesn't fly. Fact
2
London is the capital city of France. Fact (Remember: the sentence does
not have to be true)
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a scientist who says: "The Earth goes around the Sun".
Why is the Present Simple used in this sentence? Because the scientist
expresses a fact, something that he believes is true (in this case, he is right:
the Earth really orbits the Sun).
Use 2: Habits and Routines
We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example:
habits, routines, tendencies.
We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine

My husband watches the TV in the evening. Habit, Routine
Susan often meets with her friends after school. Habit, Routine
They usually play football on Sunday. Habit, Routine
Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother. Tendency
Pinocchio usually tells lies. Tendency
Adverbs of Frequency
The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:
always
frequently/often
usually
seldom/rarely
nowadays
3
never
every week/year
sometimes/occasionally
from time to time
every now and then
A few examples how to use them in sentences:
I always go to church on Sundays.

I never eat anything after 10 PM.
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a boy who says: "I play basketball every Friday"
(click on the present button to see this).
Why is Present Simple? Because the boy talks about a habit, something
that he does regularly.
Use 3: Pernament Situations
Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long
time.
I live in Boston
He works as a fireman.
Margaret drives a Volkswagen.
Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.
Use 4: Events Certain to Happen
Use the Present Simple when an event is certain to happen in the future.
4
My grandmother turns 100 this July.
Winter starts on December 21.
Use 5: State Verbs
You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.
I like swimming.
We know this man.
Note
Some of the verbs used in the simple form can also appear in the continuous form.
This is typically when they have an active meaning or emphasize change.
I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco.

I'm loving your new hairdo!
Use 6: Future Arrangements
Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an
official meeting or a train departure).
The meeting starts at 4 PM.

The train leaves at the noon.
When does the plane take off?
Jerry doesn't teach maths at high school.
Use 7: Narrations, Instructions or commentaries
The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke),
instructions (e.g. cooking) or commentaries (especially sport commentaries).
5
"A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with
his dog. He watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]"
3. Form of simple present
Forming a sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative

sentence, all you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the
verb (e.g. be, talk, swim). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more
difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb.
Declarative Sentences
Subject Verb (present form)

+
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.
Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.

Sharks have sharp teeth (Use 1)
Examples Use (click to read)
A dog is an animal. 1
I learn English twice a week. 2
I have two eggs. 5
The course starts in April. 6
The man enters the room and looks at the clock. 7
Questions
Questions require the auxiliary verb "to do" or, in the third person singular,
"does".
6
Do or Does Subject Verb (present form)
+ +
Compare these examples:
Person A: Does she like going to the mountains?

Person B: Yes, she does.
Person A: Does John have a dog?

Person B: No, he doesn't.
When asking a question, the verb does not conjugate:
Does she have a dog?

Does she has a dog?
For the verb "to be", we do not use an auxiliary:
Is he tall?
Does he be tall?
Is he a lawyer? 1
Does Mike go swimming every Sunday? 2
Does she live in London? 3
Do you turn 40 in April? 4
7
Negative Sentences
Subject Don't or Doesn't Verb (present form)

+ +
Contracted forms (more)
do + not = don't
does + not = doesn't
They don't live in New York anymore. 3
I don't like winter. 5
He doesn't go to the cinema at all. 2
Spring doesn't start in December. 4

Simple Present Tense

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Simple Present Tense

1. Definition of Simple Present

According to Wikipedia that simple present, present simple or present

John lives in New York.

a. Facts, generalizations and universal truths

Zero Conditional ("If it doesn't rains, I go play football.")

Use 1: Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths

Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truth

Use 2: Habits and Routines

We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine

The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:

A few examples how to use them in sentences:

I always go to church on Sundays.

Use 3: Pernament Situations

Use 4: Events Certain to Happen

Use 5: State Verbs

You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.

I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco.

Use 6: Future Arrangements

The meeting starts at 4 PM.

Use 7: Narrations, Instructions or commentaries

3. Form of simple present

Forming a sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative

Subject Verb (present form)

Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.

Examples Use (click to read)

I learn English twice a week. 2

I have two eggs. 5

The course starts in April. 6

The man enters the room and looks at the clock. 7

Compare these examples:

Person A: Does she like going to the mountains?

Person A: Does John have a dog?

When asking a question, the verb does not conjugate:

Does she have a dog?

For the verb "to be", we do not use an auxiliary:

Examples Use (click to read)

Does Mike go swimming every Sunday? 2

Does she live in London? 3

Do you turn 40 in April? 4

Subject Don't or Doesn't Verb (present form)

Contracted forms (more)

Examples Use (click to read)

They don't live in New York anymore. 3

I don't like winter. 5

He doesn't go to the cinema at all. 2

Spring doesn't start in December. 4

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