2. The Simple Present Tense

After completing Chapter 2, students will know how to:

Functions of The Simple Present Tense

Simple present tense is used for

  1. general truths
  2. actions happening at the moment (stative verbs)
  3. routines, habits, and schedules
  4. future appointments or future schedules

Let us discuss all these points in detail.

General Truths:

This is a timeline. There is a black line horizontal across the page with an arrow pointing to the right with the word future underneath. On the opposite side, there is an arrow pointing left with the word past underneath. In the centre of the time line is an arrow pointing down indicating with the word now written above it. There is a blue line parallel to the horizontal black line.

General truths can include facts or something that exists and is always true . These can be scientific facts, preferences, likes, dislikes, descriptions, or general states, for instance. Some examples are:

Actions Happening at the Moment:

This is a timeline. There is a black line horizontal across the page with an arrow pointing to the right with the word future underneath. On the opposite side, there is an arrow pointing left with the word past underneath. In the centre of the time line is a blue arrow pointing down indicating with the word now written above it.

We usually use the Present Continuous Tense when we want to express actions happening at the moment. However, some verbs cannot be put in a continuous tense, so they are called stative verbs. Stative verbs include verbs like feel, understand, have, etc. This is when we use The Simple Present Tense. Some examples are:

Below are some examples of stative verbs:

Senses / Perception: feel, hear, see, smell taste. Opinion: assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (=think), find (=consider). Mental states: forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognize, remember, understand. Emotions/Desires: envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish. Measurement: contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh. Others: to look (=resemble), seem, to be (in most cases), to have (when it means to possess).

Routines, Habits, and Schedules:

This is a timeline. There is a black line horizontal across the page with an arrow pointing to the right with the word future underneath. On the opposite side, there is an arrow pointing left with the word past underneath. In the centre of the time line is an arrow pointing down indicating with the word now written above it. All along the black line there are Xs spread out evenly on the timeline.

The Simple Present Tense is used to express regular habits, routines, schedules, and repeated actions. Some examples are:

With this function, frequency adverbs can be used, including always, never, sometimes, usually, often, rarely, hardly ever, etc. These adverbs come before the main verb, or after the verb “to be”. Some examples are:

Future Appointments or Schedules:

This is a timeline. There is a black line horizontal across the page with an arrow pointing to the right with the word future underneath. On the opposite side, there is an arrow pointing left with the word past underneath. In the centre of the time line is an arrow pointing down indicating with the word now written above it. There is a blue X on the horizontal black line between the now arrow and the future arrow.

We sometimes use The Simple Present Tense for future appointments or meetings. This is especially true for public transportation and formal appointments with a scheduled time. Some examples are:

**Time Markers Used with The Simple Present Tense

Some common time markers used with The Simple Present Tense are:

Form of The Simple Present Tense

Let us now explore how the Simple Present Tense is formed:

Affirmative Sentences: Subject + base verb(s) .
Subject + base verb (s) + every day.
I swim every day.
He swims every day.
She swims every day.
They swim every day.
Negative Sentences: Subject + do/does+ not + base verb.
Subject + do/does+ not + base verb
I do not (don’t) swim.
He does not (doesn’t) swim.
Yes/No Questions: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
Do/Does + subject+ base verb? Short Answer
Do you swim? Yes, I do./ No, I don’t.
Does he swim? Yes, he does./ No, he doesn’t.
Information Questions: Wh ? + do/does + subject + base verb?
Wh ? + do/does+ subject + base verb? Answer
Where do you swim? I swim in my friend’s pool.
When does he swim? He swims every Saturday.

There is a chart for spelling rules. There are two columns. The First Column is titled rule for third person. The second column is named example. Under the rule for third person column the first row says for most verbs just add s. In the first row under the example column play Arrow plays help Arrow helps think Arrow thinks. In the second row under rule for third person, it says for verbs that end in consonant plus y change the Y to I and add es. In the second row under example cry Arrow cries copy Arrow copies Mary Arrow marries. under the third row for rule for third person it states for verbs that end in voiceless sounds s z etc. add E S. Example teach Arrow teaches fix arrow fixes kiss Arrow kisses. In the last row under rule for third person it says exceptions. Example B arrow is have Arrow has

Watch It!

Video Source: GoEnglish. (2014, November 07). Forming the present simple tense in English [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/BNv44tAt9PA

Simple Present Functions Practice

Read each sentence and guess the function. Click ‘turn’ to see the answer.

Simple Present Tense Functions (Text Versions)

Read each simple present sentence and guess the function. The functions are: General truth (preference); General truth (fact); General truth (states); actions happening at the time of speaking (stative verbs); routines/habits; and future schedules.

  1. She earns a lot of money.
  2. The bus leaves at 3:00pm.
  3. The moon revolves around the earth.
  4. The baby drinks a glass of milk every morning.
  5. Neelu likes chocolate.
  6. Wood always floats on water.
  7. Lions hunt at night.
  8. She leaves for Mexico in two days.
  9. I have a really bad stomachache.
  10. I feel nervous.
  11. I own a car and a bicycle.
  12. He occasionally drinks coffee in the morning.
  13. Richard does not take care of his pets.
  14. The students do not have a test tomorrow.
  15. The flowers do not bloom until late spring.
  16. I play the piano.
  17. I do not like broccoli.
  18. He works out on the weekends mostly.
  19. I don’t understand what he’s saying.

Check your Answers: [1]

Activity source: “Simple Present Tense Functions” by Sari Martin, licensed under CC BY-NC SA 4.0.

Simple Present Form Practice – Affirmative

Simple Present form quiz (Text version)

Fill in the given blanks with the correct form of verb listed below each question

  1. She ________[Blank 1] a lot of money.
    1. earns
    2. earn
    1. to be
    2. is
    1. leave
    2. leaves
    1. revolve
    2. revolves
    1. drink
    2. drinks
    1. like
    2. likes
    1. float
    2. floats
    1. hunt
    2. hunts
    1. is
    2. are
    1. leave
    2. leaves

    Check your answers: [2]

    Activity source: “Simple Present form quiz” by Annapurna Madhuri, edited by Sari Martin, from “2 Simple present” In Effective English for Teachers by Annapurna Madhuri, licensed under CC BY-NC SA 4.0. / Converted to Text and some examples edited and added.

    Simple Present Tense Form Practice – Negative and Interrogative

    Simple Present Tense Functions (Text Version)

    Fill in the blanks with the words in correct boxes using: do, does, do not :

    1. Neelu ________[Blank 1] walk to school in the morning.
    2. ________[Blank 1] Sheela paint?
    3. The students ________[Blank 1] have a test tomorrow.
    4. ________[Blank 1] Mr. and Mrs. Murty work in the same school?
    5. ________[Blank 1] the woman work at the college?
    6. The boy ________[Blank 1] does not study hard for his exams.
    7. The flowers ________[Blank 1] bloom until late spring.
    8. ________[Blank 1] the play begin at 9 O’ clock?
    9. ________[Blank 1] the children play in the park every evening?
    10. They ________[Blank 1] earn a lot of money.
    11. Richard ________[Blank 1] take care of his pets.

    Check your Answers: [3]

    Activity source: “Simple Present – Negative and Interrogative form practice” by Annapurna Madhuri, edited by Sari Martin, from “2 Simple present” In Effective English for Teachers by Annapurna Madhuri, licensed under CC BY-NC SA 4.0. / Converted to Text and some examples edited.

    Activity source: Fill in the Blanks with the Simple Present Tense by Virginia McHardy, licensed under CC BY-NC SA 4.0.

    Verb Tenses in Music

    For a fun activity, search the web and find the following songs:

    Can you hear the Simple Present Tense in the lyrics?

    Lisa: I have the perfect son. Sari: Does he drink beer? Lisa: No, he doesn

    Attribution & References

    Except where otherwise noted, “The Simple Present Tense” by Sari Martin & Virginia McHardy is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

      1. general truth (fact)
      2. general truth (state or preference)
      3. future schedule
      4. general truth (fact)
      5. routine/habit
      6. general truth (preference)
      7. general truth (fact)
      8. general truth (fact)
      9. general truth (fact)
      10. future schedule
      11. actions happening at the time of speaking (stative verbs)
      12. actions happening at the time of speaking (stative verbs)
      13. general truth (state)
      14. routine/habit
      15. general truth (fact)
      16. future schedule
      17. general truth (fact)
      18. general truth (state)
      19. general truth (preference)
      20. routine/habit
      21. actions happening at the time of speaking (stative verbs)
      1. She earns a lot of money.
      2. Mona's dress is beautiful.
      3. The bus leaves at 3.00 pm.
      4. The moon revolves round the earth.
      5. The baby drinks a glass of milk every morning.
      6. Neelu linkes chocolates.
      7. Wood always floats on water.
      8. Lions hunt at night.
      9. There are many books in the library.
      10. She leaves for Mexico in two days.
      1. Neelu does not walk to school in the morning.
      2. Does Sheela paint?
      3. The students do not have a test tomorrow.
      4. Do Mr. and Mrs. Murty work in the same school?
      5. Does the woman work at the college?
      6. The boy does not study hard for his exams.
      7. The flowers do not bloom until late spring.
      8. Does the play begin at 9 O' clock?
      9. Do the children play in the park every evening?
      10. They do not earn a lot of money.
      11. Richard does not take care of his pets.