Present simple tense

PRESENT SIMPLE

What is present simple?

The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end.

STRUCTURE

• Affirmative sentence: In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-person singular (which ends in -s).

• Negative sentence: The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root form of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not or does not.

• Interrogative sentence: The formula for asking a question in the simple present is do/does + [subject] + [root form of verb].

Examples:

• I write

• He walks

• I don´t sing

• Do you study?

Adverbs of frequency

An adverb of frequency describes how often an action happens. There are six main adverbs of frequency that we use in English:

*always

*usually (or normally),

*often,

*sometimes

*rarely

*never

Examples

• Sara always goes out on Saturday evenings.

  
  

• Jane’s boyfriend usually picks her up and they drive into the city centre.

  
  

• Ben and Emma often go for lunch together.

  
  

• In the winter Sara sometimes goes Skiing in France.

• As Marta is so busy she never gets home from work before 7