What is the simple present tense?
Simple present tense or present indefinite tense is one of the four forms of the present tense. We use simple present tense in English to describe or talk about; habits, hobbies, facts, current events, etc.
You can learn more about tenses and types of tenses here!
Table of Contents
- What is the simple present tense?
- Essential Aspects Of Simple Present Tense
- Uses of Simple Present Tense
- Negatives and Questions
- 20 Sentences Of Simple Present Tense
- Answering Questions in Simple Present Tense
We will discuss when to and how to use simple present (present indefinite tense) with examples in detail. But, before that, we must talk about some of the essential aspects of simple present tense.
Essential Aspects Of Simple Present Tense
1. Simple Present Tense Rules
These are the simple present tense rules that you need to remember
i) The verb is always in the present form, i.e., V1
ii) Put “s” at the end of the verb if the subject is third-person singular ( he/she/it/name)
iii) If the last letter of the verb is o, s, x, sh, or ch, then “es” will be used instead of “s”
For example;
Go – goes
Pass – passes
Tax – taxes
Push – pushes
Catch – catches
iv) If the last letter of the verb is “y,” then replace it with “i” and then add “es”. That means we replace “y” with “ies”
For example;
Try – tries
Cry – cries
Study – studies
v) If there is a vowel ( a, e, i, o, u ) before “y” in a verb, add “s”
For example;
Say – says
Play –plays
Buy – buys
2. Simple Present Tense Structure
We use the simple present tense structure to make sentences in the simple present (present indefinite tense).
The simple present tense structure is –
Subject + Verb + (s or es) + object
Simple Present Tense Examples
Let’s look at some of the examples of simple present tense. These examples will help you understand the use of present simple (present indefinite tense).
- She smokes. ( Habit )
- I listen to music. ( Hobby )
- They wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning. ( Routine )
- My mother drinks tea every morning. ( Routine )
- Water boils at 100 °C. ( Fact )
- The stars shine at night. ( True statement / Fact )
- The sun rises in the east. ( True statement / Fact )
- Cows graze grass. ( True statement )
- My father goes to the office. ( work/routine )
- She works at the Airport. ( work/routine )
Uses of Simple Present Tense
The above sentences show that we use the simple present or present indefinite tense to talk about a habit, hobby, routine, fact, or true statements.
Let’s now understand in detail when to use the simple present tense.
1. To express fact or truth
The below examples are either facts or true statements…
Oil floats on water.
The earth moves around the sun.
The sun sets in the west.
2. To express habit, hobby, work, or routine
The below present simple (present indefinite tense) examples express someone’s habit, hobby, or routine…
I get up at 6 a.m.
The nearby store opens at 8 a.m.
She teaches History in school.
The history class starts at 9.30 sharp.
I watch movies in my spare time.
We pray before dinner.
They play basketball.
She drinks coffee before a workout.
3. To express something happens or we do regularly or possibly
Note: – common words that we use in such sentences are:
Always, every day, every week, every month, every year, sometimes, often, never, usually, once, twice, several times a week/month
Here are some present indefinite tense examples expressing regular or frequent actions…
She never eats meat.
I usually get up early.
I always go to the market.
It rains here serval times a month.
She writes a blog every week.
They visit their parents every month.
Rohan visits the doctor once a year.
My wife often goes for a morning walk with me.
We get one month’s holiday every year.
Alex plays tennis sometimes.
We see heavy snowfall every winter in this region.
4. To express current events or situation
The below present simple (present indefinite tense) examples state current events or situations…
You certainly deserve the promotion.
She needs a friend in this difficult time.
You owe me a thousand bucks.
India wins the final.
The government shuts down illegal liquor shops across the country.
5. To express planned-future actions
In the below present indefinite tense examples, we are talking about the things going to happen in the future…
Amit leaves for New York tomorrow.
Our college re-opens on Monday.
The meeting ends at 4 o’clock.
The flights resume tomorrow morning.
I want to go to Paris in the next couple of years.
She plans to go to America next year for her higher studies.
6. To express current feeling or state of mind
We express someone’s current feeling or state of mind using present simple (present indefinite tense)…
I believe you.
I hear you.
He knows it.
She hates me.
You love her.
I doubt it.
I hope it works.
I agree with you.
They understand the situation.
I forgive you for your mistake.
7. After some subordinate conjunctions, the present indefinite tense (simple present) is used to denote the future tense
Some subordinate conjunctions are: – as, as soon as, before, after, if, even if, unless, until, till, when
My dad will help you if you ask for help.
If you come, I will throw a party for you.
We will leave as soon as my father comes home.
David will not return your money until you ask.
Please wait here till I come back.
He will tell you everything when the time comes.
8. To express current possession, we use simple present (present indefinite tense)
This house belongs to Mr. Smith.
She owns a black Mercedes.
I own an e-commerce company.
9. Simple present is used in radio or TV commentary
John passes the ball to Tom, Tom passes it on to Jack, and Jack strikes it towards the goal.
10. We write the words of an author in present simple (present indefinite tense)
Shakespeare says, “What’s in a name”
Negatives and Questions
We have only discussed the affirmative sentences in the simple present tense examples above. We also make three other types of sentences in the simple present (present indefinite tense).
- Simple Present Tense Negative Sentence
- Simple Present Tense Questions/Interrogative Sentence
- Simple Present Tense Interrogative Negative Sentence
To make these kinds of sentences, we use the helping verbs “do” and “does”. We use the helping verb “do” with I, You, We, They, and other plural subjects. Whereas we use the helping verb “does” with He, She, It, and other singular subjects.
1. Simple Present Negative Sentence
Sentence structure:
Sub + do/does not + Verb + object
| do not = don’t |
| does not = doesn’t |
I do not play cricket
Or
I don’t play cricket.
Note: When we use does as a helping verb in simple present negative sentences, we do not add “s” or “es” to the main verb.
For example,
He does not knows me.
(Incorrect)
He does not know me.
(Correct)
Simple Present Negative Sentence Examples
She doesn’t like to go outside.
I don’t eat junk food.
They don’t go on vacation every year.
My sister doesn’t like horror movies.
He does not respect his co-workers.
2. Simple Present Interrogative Sentence
Sentence structure:
Do/Does + Sub + Verb + object?
Do you know him?
Simple Present Interrogative Sentence Examples
Does she go to the market every Sunday?
Do you work here?
Does Jack teach at the primary school?
Do they come here every weekend?
Do you want to meet my parents?
3. Simple Present Interrogative Negative Sentence
Sentence structure:
Do/Does + Sub + not + Verb + object?
Do you not know him?
Or
Don’t you know him?
Simple Present Interrogative Negative Sentence Examples
Doesn’t she drive a car?
Don’t they work with you?
Don’t you have any money?
Don’t you want to join us at tomorrow’s party?
Doesn’t your father come to pick you up every day?
20 Sentences Of Simple Present Tense
Here are 20 sentences of simple present tense that you may use in your day-to-day conversations.
- I don’t want any trouble.
- Does it feel good?
- I don’t cook.
- My mother cares for me.
- We admire your work.
- He keeps in touch with his mother.
- I wake up early in the morning.
- I sleep at 10 p.m.
- Mr. Smith owns two companies.
- He looks like your brother.
- She never talks to me.
- Don’t you believe me?
- He wants something.
- My daughter wants a gift for her birthday.
- The movie starts at 7 p.m.
- This road goes to my home.
- Our shop opens at 10 a.m.
- I always drive to the office.
- Usually, it takes me an hour to reach my office.
- Do they want to come with us?
Answering Questions in Simple Present Tense
You can give short answers instead of saying complete sentences when answering questions in the present indefinite tense (simple present).
1. Do you get up early?
Yes, I get up early. (Positive complete sentence)
Yes, I do. (Positive short answer)
No, I don’t get up early. (Negative complete sentence)
No, I don’t. (Negative short answer)
2. Does she work at this hotel?
Yes, she works at this hotel. (Positive complete sentence)
Yes, she does. (Positive short answer)
No, she doesn’t work at this hotel. (Negative complete sentence)
No, she doesn’t. (Negative short answer)
3. Do they always come here?
Yes, they do. (Positive)
No, they don’t. (Negative)
4. Does he always bother you?
Yes, he does. (Positive)
No, he doesn’t. (Negative)
5. Do you drink coffee?
Yes, I do. (Positive)
No, I don’t. (Negative)
6. Does Susan stay late in the office?
Yes, she does. (Positive)
No, she doesn’t. (Negative)
7. Does he work at night?
Yes, he does. (Positive)
No, he doesn’t. (Negative)
8. Do they like each other?
Yes, they do. (Positive)
No, they don’t. (Negative)
9. Do you visit your parents every week?
Yes, I do. (Positive)
No, I don’t. (Negative)
10. Does Jonathan know you?
Yes, he does. (Positive)
No, he doesn’t. (Negative)
We have tried to cover everything about the simple present (present indefinite tense) and its use. We hope this was helpful for you in learning the Simple present tense!
