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The Present Simple Tense
 Time & Mode
The
simple present tense has no specific time or mode. The verb indicates an
action which is repeated regularly (a routine), a fact which
is true for a long time or a state (an existing condition) which is always true.
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I
you
We
They |
watch |
TV everyday |
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work |
in a hospital |
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like |
action films |
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He
She
It
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watches |
TV everyday |
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works |
in a hospital |
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likes |
action films |
Form
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I
you
We
They |
verb |
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Words often used with the tense |
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Adverbs of frequency (always, often, usually, sometimes,
frequently, regularly, generally, seldom, rarely, scarcely, never)
everyday, every week, every........
most days, most evenings, most.......... |
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He
She
It |
verb +
s |
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tomorrow,
next week, next.... |
Use
The present
simple tense is used:
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1. To describe a fact or a thing which is true for a long time. (We usually
do not use adverbs in this case)
a- Wood
floats
on water.
b-
The
sun rises in the east.
c-
I
live in a big house. d- A bride usually wears white on hear wedding.
e-
My father
swims very well.
f-
Shakira sings pop songs.
2. To indicate actions which happen regularly (habits -
routine)
a- We always have lunch at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
b- My mother often drives me to school.
c- They go on holiday to Syria every year.
d- Our neighbour usually works late on Thursday.
3. With
stative verbs to express states (conditions that exist), thoughts and feelings not actions
(activities).
We usually do not use adverbs in this case.
a- This cake tastes very delicious.
b-
Sami seems very tired.
c- Dogs hear better than people.
d- Sarah has a nice sports car.
e-
I think you are right.
f- I want to go out.
g- Sami believes Jack is selfish.
h- Sarah likes parties.
See more about Stative
Verbs........
4. To report
news or
narrate historical events
a-
Princess Diana dies in a car accident. ( It was a heading
in a newspaper)
b- Saladin is the great Muslim leader who
liberates
Jerusalem from the Crusaders.
5. For orders,
commands, instructions, invitations (= the imperative)
a- Open that window.
b- Send me a letter as soon as you can.
c-
Sit in your place.
d- Give my love to your family.
e- Have a cup of tea.
6. In negative questions with why to make
suggestions
a- Why
don't we listen to music?
b- Sami is ill. Why doesn't he see a doctor?
7. To refer to
fixed events in the future. For example: future programmes,
schedules, timetables
a- Our exams start on next Thursday.
b- The flight to Damascus departs at 12:30 .
c- Liverpool meets Manchester United next Friday. |
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Notes:
If
you don't know the meaning of some words, click on the dictionary icon.
Adding the -s:
When the
verb ends in: -ss, -sh, -ch, -o or -z, we add -es.
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kiss
+ s = kisses
wish + s =
wishes
watch + s =
watches
go
+ s = goes
buzz +
s = buzzes |
When the
verb ends in consonant + y, we change the -y to
ies.
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carry +
s = carries
try +
s = tries
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have + s = has
Adverbs of Frequency
-
always
- often
- usually
- sometimes
-
frequently
-
regularly
- generally
-
seldom
-
rarely
- never
A state is
something that stays the same.
An action is
something that happens.
Stative
verbs are often simple. They cannot be continuous unless they indicate
actions.
Imperative sentences usually do not have a subject.
Some
verbs cannot be used as imperative. For example: "hear",
instead we use "listen".
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