Mastering the nuances of English language can be a delightful exercise, provided one understands its myriad components. When it comes to mastering English, a vital aspect is understanding and using different tenses accurately. Among these tenses, one of the foundations is the Present Simple Tense.
The Essentials of the Present Simple Tense
In fulfilling your desire to be coherent in English, it’s vital to grasp the fundamental attributes of the Present Simple Tense. Let’s dive in for a clearer understanding.
Overview of the Present Simple Tense
As we edge closer to mastering the English language, let’s take a closer look at the Present Simple Tense. This grammatical tense is primarily used to express general truths, habits, permanent situations, and repeated actions. As the name implies, it’s used to talk about things that are in the present, but there’s much more to it! This versatility makes it a fundamental component in understanding English grammar. In the next section, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of the Present Simple Tense.
We generally use Present Simple for a few reasons. Firstly, we use it to describe habitual actions and permanent situations. Secondly, we use this tense to describe general truth. See the following sections for a short explanation about Present Simple.
Definition and Function of Present Simple Tense
The Present Simple Tense, also known as Simple Present, is one of the most frequently used tenses in the English Language. It describes actions, situations, or events that are happening now, but not necessarily at the moment of speaking. Also, it speaks on general truths, habits, routines, and feelings. Here are some of its key functions:
– Depicting daily routines and habitual actions (e.g., I walk my dog every morning.)
– Expressing universal truths and scientific facts (e.g., The sun rises in the east.)
– Dealing with preferences, likes, and feelings (e.g., I love pizza.)
Present Simple for Habitual Actions and Permanent Situations
The present simple is used when we talk about habitual actions. We do not use Present Simple to talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking. Let’s see the following examples:
- I work in a bank. (Though you are in bed on Sunday now and you are not working)
- My sister chats with her boyfriend every day.
- They live in Mars.
Present Simple for General Truth
Present Simple is also used to talk about general truth or something which happens forever. Let’s see the following examples:!
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- The earth goes around the sun.
Present Simple Negative Sentences And Questions
In Present Simple negative sentences and questions, we use do or does. Let’s see the following examples !
- The sun does not go around the earth.
- Water does not boil at 20 degrees centigrade.
- Where do you come from?
- Do you speak English?
The Structure of the Tense and Its Detailed Explanation
The structure of the Present Simple Tense depends on the subject. For the singular subjects (He, She, and It), use the base form of the verb and add -s or -es. For plural subjects or the pronouns I, You, We, and They, use the base verb form. Here are some examples:
– I/You/We/They walk to school.
– He/She/It walks to school.
By understanding this structure, you’re ensuring your sentences make sense and follow English Language grammar rules.
Subject That Takes Verb + s/es
In Present Simple subject he, she and it must be followed by verb with s or es. Let’s see the following examples !
- She works on a ship.
- I have a cat. It eats fish.
- My boyfriend is good looking. He comes from Romania.
See also the following table!
| I/you/we/they | he/she/it |
|---|---|
| fix go close watch wash buzz miss have do not wash don’t watch Where do you work? Why don’t you go to bed? |
fixes goes closes watches washes buzzes misses has does not wash doesn’t watch Where does he work? Why doesn’t he go to bed? |
Usage of Present Simple Tense
To kick things off, let’s grasp how to effectively use the Present Simple Tense. Primarily, it’s used to express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations, and feelings or states rather than actions. We can split its use into two primary contexts – Positive Sentences and Negative Sentences & Questions.
Positive Sentences in Present Simple Tense
When using positive sentences, we generally adhere to a subject+verb+object structure. For example:
– ‘I love apple pie.’
– ‘He goes to school every day.’
– ‘They live in New York.’
In each example, an ongoing or repeated action is being stated using the Present Simple Tense.
Negative Sentences and Questions
Negative sentences in the Present Simple Tense commonly involve ‘do not’ or ‘does not’. For instance:
– ‘I do not like broccoli.’
– ‘She doesn’t enjoy winter.’
Creating questions also revolves around ‘do’ or ‘does’. For instance:
– ‘Do you like jazz music?’
– ‘Does she go to the gym?’
In summary, the Present Simple Tense forms the bedrock for many English sentences, making its mastery crucial for learners. Let’s move forward and delve deeper into the grammar rules that govern its use.
Common Grammar Rules of Present Simple Tense
When it comes to mastering the use of Present Simple Tense, there are a few key grammar rules to keep in mind. These rules will not only help you construct sentences correctly but also understand and interpret the speech of others effectively. Let’s break down some of the most common rules.
Rule of ‘s’ or ‘es’ end
A crucial rule to grasp is the use of ‘s’ or ‘es’ at the end of the verb. In the Present Simple Tense, when using a singular subject excluding ‘I’ and ‘you’, we add an ‘s’ or ‘es’ to the verb. For instance, we say, ‘he eats’ instead of ‘he eat.’ However, plural subjects and the pronouns ‘I’ and ‘you’ don’t require this addition. Here’s the pattern to follow:
– He/She/It: verb+s/es
– I/You/We/They: verb
Use of do and does in Present Simple Tense
Another key rule involves the use of ‘do’ and ‘does.’ In Present Simple Tense, we use ‘do’ with I/You/We/They and ‘does’ with He/She/It, especially when forming negative sentences or asking questions. For example, ‘Do we have a meeting?’ or ‘He doesn’t want coffee.’ These rules help in constructing well-shaped sentences that resonate with the English language’s syntax.
Present Simple Exercises
One of the most effective ways of mastering the Present Simple Tense is by actively working on exercises. These can be in the form of online quizzes, workbook exercises, worksheets or interactive games. Try writing sentences or paragraphs in the Present Simple Tense. For example, describe your typical day or narrate a story, consciously using the Present Simple Tense. This will not only reinforce your understanding of the tense but will also help in enhancing your overall language skills too.
Exercise I
In this exercise we are going to practice changing the verb into the correct form. Let’s see the examples first!
- The bank ……….(open) at 8 o’clock. The bank opens at 8 o’clock.
- What time …..the bank….(close)? What time does the bank close?
1. Cats …(catch) mice.
2. Normally water …(flow) downward.
3. I….(not smoke).
4. Sue…(work) in a bank.
5. I never…(go) to the cinema.
6. She …(have) breakfast every morning.
7. The motorcycle often ….(break) down.
8. Who….you (see) on Saturdays?
9. What ….’hacker’ (mean)?
10.”What ….you (do)?” “I’m a web designer.”
Exercise II
Put the verb into the correct form of Present Simple.
Examples:
Water boils (boils) at 100 degrees centigrade.
George doesn’t go (not/go) to the cinema very often.
How many languages do you speak (you / speak)?
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The swimming bath…………………(open) at 9.00 and ………………………(close) at 18.30 every day .
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What time ………………………….(the banks / close) in Britain?
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I have a car but I …………………………… (not / use) it very often.
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How many cigarettes………………………(you/smoke) a day?
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What…………………………………………..(you / do)? I’m an electrical engineer.’
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‘Where…………………………………(your father / come ) from ?’ “He ………………………….(come) from Scotland.’
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If you need money , why ……………………… (you/not/get) a job?
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I…………………(play) the piano, but I………………………(not/play) it very well.
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I don’t understand the word ‘deceive’ What …………………(‘deceive’ / mean )?
Exercise III
Read the sentences and correct them. The English is correct but the information is wrong . Write two correct sentences each time.
Example: The sun goes around the earth. The sun doesn’t go around the earth; the earth goes around the sun.
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The sun rises in the west. …………………………………………………………………………………
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Mice catch cat. …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Carpenters………………………………………………………………………………………
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The river Amazon flows into the pacific Ocean. ………………………………………
Exercise IV
Change the sentences below to questions. Begin your question with the word(s) in the brackets.
Examples: Tom plays tennis. (How often?)
How often does Tom play tennis
I get up in the morning. (What time / usually?)
What time do you usually get up?
1 Ann watches television. (How often) How often ………………………………
2. I write to my parent. (How often?)
How often…………………………………
3. I have dinner in the evening?(What time/usually?
What time …………………………………
4. Tom works. (Where?) Where…………………………………………
5. I go to the cinema. (How often )
How oten……………………………………
6. people do stupid things. (Why) Why……………………………………………
Answers
Exercise I
1. Cats catch mice.
2. Normally water flows downward.
3. I do not smoke.
4. Sue works in a bank.
5. I never go to the cinema.
6. She has breakfast every morning.
7. The motorcycle often breaks down.
8. Who do you see on Saturdays?
9. What does ‘hacker’ mean?
10.”What do you do?” “I’m a web designer.”
Exercise II
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The swimming bath opens at 9.00 and closes at 18.30 every day.
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What time do the banks close in Britain?
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I have a car but I do not use it very often.
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How many cigarettes do you smoke a day?
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What do you do? I’m an electrical engineer.’
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‘Where does your father come from ?’ “He comes from Scotland.’
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If you need money, why don’t. you get a job?
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I play the piano, but I don’t play it very well.
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I don’t understand the word ‘deceive’ What does ‘deceive’ mean?
Exercise III
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The sun rises in the west. The sun doesn’t rise in the west; it rises in the east.
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Mice catch cats. Mice don’t catch cats; cats catch mice.
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Carpenters work with iron. Carpenters don’t work with iron; they work with wood.
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The Amazon Amazon flows into the pacific Ocean. The river Amazon doesn’t flow into the Pacific Ocean; it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Exercise IV
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How often does Ann watch television?
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How often do you write to your parents?
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What time do you usually have dinner?
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Where does Tom work?
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How often do you go to the cinema?
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Why do people do irrational things?
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