Simple Present

Simple Present

Simple Present

The simple present (also called present simple) is a verb tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization.

Simple Present Forms

Subject + verb + complement.

The simple present is just the base form of the verb. Questions are made with do and negative forms are made with do not:

Affirmative: You speak English.

Question: Do you speak English?

Negative: You do not speak English.

In the third person singular, -s or -es is added. Questions are made with does and negative forms are made with does not.

• Statement: He speaks English.

• Question: Does he speak English?

• Negative: He does not speak English.

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.

Examples:

• I play tennis.

• She does not play tennis.

• Does he play tennis?

• The train leaves every morning at 8 AM

• The train does not leave at 9 AM.

• She always forgets her purse.

• He never forgets his wallet.

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.

Examples:

• Cats like milk.

• Birds do not like milk.

• California is not in the United Kingdom.

• Windows are made of glass.