Simple Present Tense
Simple present tense definition
The simple present tense is one of several forms of the present tense in English. The
present simple one of the most commonly used tenses in the English language.
We use the simple present tense when describing things that are true, or when it
happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present
indefinite). The present tense is the base form of the verb. But with the third person
singular (she/he/it), we add an –s.
The present simple tense uses
We often use adverbs of frequency like sometimes, always, and never with the
present simple tense.
He is always late.
I never play baseball.
She often cooks dinner at 5 p.m.
Some other signal words:
Usually, often, sometimes, seldom
Every day/week/month/…
To express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations,
emotions and wishes
Habit: He rides a bike every day.
Unchanging situations: I work in London.
A general truth: Beijing is a large city.
To give advice, directions or instructions
You go straight ahead and then turn right.
1
, Please practice English for thirty minutes a day!
To express fixed arrangements, present or future
Our exam ends at 3 p.m.
That soccer match starts at 9 a.m.
To express future time, after some conjunctions such as after, when, before, as
soon as, until
He’ll give it to you when you come next Saturday.
Stative verbs and verbs of thought/memory (like, love, need, prefer,…)
He likes playing football.
I prefer to read comics.
I need some coffee.
Conjugation of English Simple Present Tense
In the present simple tense, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the
third-person singular (which ends in -s). The third-person singular ends with -es
instead of -s. Typically, these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, ss, x, or z.
Some verbs that end in -y will be changed to -ies. Example: fly –> flies, cry –> cries.
There is an exception to this rule when there is a vowel before the -y: play –> plays,
pray –> prays
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
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Simple present tense definition
The simple present tense is one of several forms of the present tense in English. The
present simple one of the most commonly used tenses in the English language.
We use the simple present tense when describing things that are true, or when it
happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present
indefinite). The present tense is the base form of the verb. But with the third person
singular (she/he/it), we add an –s.
The present simple tense uses
We often use adverbs of frequency like sometimes, always, and never with the
present simple tense.
He is always late.
I never play baseball.
She often cooks dinner at 5 p.m.
Some other signal words:
Usually, often, sometimes, seldom
Every day/week/month/…
To express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations,
emotions and wishes
Habit: He rides a bike every day.
Unchanging situations: I work in London.
A general truth: Beijing is a large city.
To give advice, directions or instructions
You go straight ahead and then turn right.
1
, Please practice English for thirty minutes a day!
To express fixed arrangements, present or future
Our exam ends at 3 p.m.
That soccer match starts at 9 a.m.
To express future time, after some conjunctions such as after, when, before, as
soon as, until
He’ll give it to you when you come next Saturday.
Stative verbs and verbs of thought/memory (like, love, need, prefer,…)
He likes playing football.
I prefer to read comics.
I need some coffee.
Conjugation of English Simple Present Tense
In the present simple tense, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the
third-person singular (which ends in -s). The third-person singular ends with -es
instead of -s. Typically, these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, ss, x, or z.
Some verbs that end in -y will be changed to -ies. Example: fly –> flies, cry –> cries.
There is an exception to this rule when there is a vowel before the -y: play –> plays,
pray –> prays
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
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