I) An Introduction

A sentence is presented in simple present tense when it is used to describe an action that's happening at present and does not indicate when the action is expected to end. Simple present tense is used when:

• The action that is taking place in general.
• The action is not only occurring now; it repeats after regular intervals of time.
• To indicate facts those are generally true.
• The action for relating habits and routines that happen all the time, be it in the future, past or present.

Structure

• If subject is 3rd person singular.
  The verb is used in its original form;
• If subject is 1st and/or 2nd person singular.
• If subject is 1st and/or 2nd person plural.
• If subject is 3rd person plural.

II) Description

Common mistakes

Most verbs conjugate like the verb "run" below. Notice how you add an "s" to third-person forms. Third-person negative forms and third-person questions are made using "does."

Instead of "s," "es" is added to positive, third-person forms of verbs ending with the following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, j or zs (as in Zsa Zsa). These special "es"-forms have been marked below with an asterisk*.

To Have

The verb "have" is irregular in positive, third-person forms. This irregular form has been marked below with an asterisk*.

To Be

The verb "be" is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and negative forms.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs behave differently from other verbs. Notice that they do not take "s" in the third person - there is no difference between first-person, second-person or third-person forms. Like the verb "be" described above, modal verbs also have different question forms and negative forms in Simple Present.

III) Usages

Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Other tags:

• Simple Present,
• The Tenses In English,
• english grammar