Present Simple Tense (Simple Present): Definition, Rules and Useful Examples

Last updated on August 7, 2024 by Grammargeek

The reference is about the Present Simple tense in English. It covers the structure, usage, and examples of the Simple Present Tense. You will learn how to form sentences correctly and understand the usage of time expressions in this tense. Furthermore, the reference includes a Present Simple Tense Chart and exercises to practice. You can also find rules for other verb tenses in English and useful resources on grammar here.

Understanding Present Simple

Present Simple Tense

The simple present tense plays an important role in the English language. This reference covers key areas such as what the Simple Present Tense is, its structure, and examples. It also explains how to use the Simple Present Tense, including its usage, notes, and time expressions.

Find out more with a comprehensive present simple tense chart and practical exercises. Plus, explore the 12 verb tenses in English for a broader grammar understanding. Learn useful grammar rules to confidently use the Simple Present Tense with example sentences and ESL printable worksheets.

What is the Simple Present Tense?

If you want to talk about an action happening right now, you will use the present simple tense. This tense is common in English and has its own grammar rules. Knowing these rules helps you speak clearly.

In English, the simple present tense belongs to the verb forms of the present tense. You typically use the simple present tense for these cases:

  • Expressing facts, general truths, and common-sense ideas.
  • Stating habits, customs, and events that happen regularly.
  • Describing future plans and events.
  • Telling jokes, stories, and describing sporting events in real-time.

One thing the simple present tense does not do is describe actions happening right now. That’s better for present participles.

Regular verbs in the first, second, and third person plural are simple. They often look like the infinitive form of the verb.

The third person singular has specific rules:

  • For most regular verbs, add an s at the end.
  • For verbs ending in s, ss, sh, ch, th, x, z, or o, add es.
  • For verbs ending in y, drop y and add ies.

Examples:

  • Infinitive: To Go
    • First Person: I go/We go
    • Second Person: You go
    • Third Person: He goes/They go
  • Infinitive: To Study
    • First Person: I study/We study
    • Second Person: You study
    • Third Person: She studies/They study
  • Infinitive: To Mix
    • First Person: I mix/We mix
    • Second Person: You mix
    • Third Person: He mixes/They mix

The simple present tense can combine with phrases like “every Tuesday,” “always,” “usually,” and “twice a month.” You can make this tense negative or use it in questions. This flexibility helps express complex ideas.

Simple Present Tense Structure

Present Simple Tense with “TO BE” (am/is/are)

Affirmative Sentence:

S + am/is/are + predicate

Example:

He is a doctor.

Negative Sentence:   S + am/is/are + not + predicate

Example:

He isn’t a doctor.

Interrogative Sentence: Interrogative Sentence

Am/Is/Are + S + predicate?

Example:

Is he a doctor?

Simple Present Tense with Other Verbs

Affirmative Sentence:

S + verb + object

Example:

We like tea.

Negative Sentence:

S + don’t/doesn’t + verb + object

Example:

We don’t like tea.

Interrogative Sentence:

Do/Does + S + verb + object?

Example:

Do you like tea?

Examples of the Simple Present Tense

  • In the United States, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
  • My wife and I drink a toast to the New Year every January 1st.
  • So, a horse walks into a bar and the bartender says “Why the long face?”…
  • My company issues promotions and raises next week.
  • The human body maintains a temperature of 98.6 degrees.
  • Do you like my cat?
  • Does my dog wake you up when he barks at night?
  • I always feed my kids before sending them off to school.
  • The best student in the class studies twice as much as anyone.
  • The chef mixes fish and shrimp with steak to make the best surf’ n turf’ in town.

How to Use the Simple Present

The Present Simple Tense Usage

The Present Simple tense is used to express:

General Truths: The sun rises in the east.

Habits: I play badminton every Tuesday.

Future Timetables: Our train leaves at 9 am.

Future after “When”, “Until”: I won’t go out until it stops raining.

Permanent Situations: He works in a bank.

Newspaper Headlines: Man enters space.

With Non-progressive Verbs: I believe that you are innocent.

Telling Stories: Suddenly, the window opens and a masked man enters.

Directions and Instructions: First of all, you break the eggs and whisk with sugar.

Notes for the Present Simple

The basic form of the simple present is the same as the base form of the verb unless the subject is third person singular, in which case a form with the addition of -(e)s is used.

Verb Modifications:

  • I, you, we, they: No change in verb.
  • He, she, it: A suffix is added.

Rules for adding -es suffix:

  • Verbs ending in –o, –ch, –sh, –s, –x, or –z.
    • Do – Does
    • Touch – Touches
    • Fix – Fixes

Rules for replacing -y with -ies:

  • Verbs ending in a consonant + y.
    • Try – Tries
    • Study – Studies
    • Carry – Carries

For other cases:

  • Add –s.
    • Cook – Cooks
    • Say – Says
    • Laugh – Laughs

Time Expressions in the Present Simple Tense

Common time expressions include:

  • This evening
  • At 10 am
  • When
  • Until
  • As soon as
  • After
  • Before
  • Twice a month
  • Every Tuesday
  • Often
  • Sometimes

These expressions help provide context for action in the present simple.

Simple Present Tense Exercises

1. Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. She _______ (go) to school every day.
  2. They _______ (play) soccer on weekends.
  3. The sun _______ (rise) in the east.
  4. He _______ (not like) spicy food.
  5. We _______ (study) English on Mondays.

2. Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the sentences in the negative form.

  1. I eat breakfast at 7 AM.
  2. She reads a book every evening.
  3. They travel to Spain every summer.
  4. He works at a hospital.
  5. We watch TV after dinner.

3. Question Formation

Form questions from the given statements.

  1. She plays the piano. (What)
  2. They visit their grandparents. (When)
  3. He drinks coffee. (Does)
  4. You like chocolate. (Do)
  5. The store opens at 9 AM. (What time)

12 Verb Tenses in English

Learn all (12) tenses in English with useful grammar rules, examples and ESL worksheets.

Verb Tenses Chart

Present Simple Tense: Useful Rules & Examples

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