The simple present or present simple is one of the verb forms associated with the present tense in modern English.

 

It is called "simple" because its basic form consists of a single word (like write or writes), in contrast with other present tense forms such as thepresent progressive (is writing) and present perfect (has written).

 

So the conjugation of English verbs in present tense is very easy, since we just have to add an "s" at the end of the verb in the third person.

 

 

 

 

The simple present is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal!

 

 

Simple Present has two  forms: one for all the persons and one in third person

 

FORM Simple  Present with "dance"

[gramatical person + infinitive]
 

Examples:
I dance

You dance

We dance

They dance

You dance

 

FORM Simple  Present with "dance" in third person singular

[gramatical person + infinitive+ "s"]
 

Examples:
He dances

She dances

It dances

 

USE 1 Repeated Actions ( meaning habits, something that happens again and again in the present)

 

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.

• When does the train usually leave?

• She always forgets her purse.

• He never forgets his wallet.

• Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.

• Does the Sun circle the Earth?

• You have lost so much weight! I walk.

 

We use words like sometimes, often. always, and never (adverbs of frequency) with the present tense:

 

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations (that are always / generally true.)

 

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.

• Do pigs like milk?

• California is in America.

• California is not in the United Kingdom.

• Windows are made of glass.

• Windows are not made of wood.

• New York is a small city.

 

USE 3 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples:

• The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.

• The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.

• When do we board the plane?

• The party starts at 8 o'clock.

• When does class begin tomorrow?

 

 

USE 4 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples:

• I am here now.

• She is not here now.

• He needs help right now.

• He does not need help now.

• He has his passport in his hand.

• Do you have your passport with you?

 

 

 

 

Non-Continuous Verbs

These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:

 

Abstract Verbs

to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...

Possession Verbs

to possess, to own, to belong,(to have depending on the context)

Emotion Verbs

to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...

 

Examples:

• He is needing help now. Not Correct

• He needs help now. Correct

• He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct

• He wants a drink now. Correct