Rules for the Simple Present tense!
This is the last lesson in the Simple Present Tense series.
By now, you know that we can use the Simple Present Tense or the Present Simple Tense to:
- talk about facts and general truths.
- talk about habits and daily routines.
- give instructions and directions.
- talk about the present.
At the end of this fifth and last lesson, you will be able to answer the following questions in detail:
- What is the structure of the Simple Present Tense?
- How do we conjugate the Simple Present Tense?
- When and how do we use it?
REMEMBER: A verb tense sheds more light on the time of an action, an event or a state of being.
This time can be in the Past, Present or Future.
Rules for the Simple Present Tense (1): Structure
The Simple Present Tense has a very basic structure that is easy to remember.
Let’s take a look at the examples below.
- I love apples.
- I do not like apples.
- I don’t like apples.
- Do you like apples?
Can you describe the sentences above? How are they made? The questions below can help you with your description.
- Where is the Subject?
- Where is the Verb?
- Can you spot the Object?
- What about the Auxiliary?
- Where is the word that shows that the sentence is negative?
Here are the answers:
Subject: Pronoun ‘I’
Verb: Love
Object: Apples
Auxiliary: Do
Expression of negation: Not (Full form), N’t (contracted form)
YOUR TURN: Break down three sentences in the Simple Present Tense. Observe how the sentences are made and try to find their structure.
Rules for the Simple Present Tense (2): Conjugation
Let’s take a look at the previous examples again.
- I love apples.
- I do not like apples.
- I don’t like apples.
- Do you like apples?
In these examples, there is a statement, two negative sentences and a question. Can you locate them?
Here are the answers:
Statement or Affirmative Sentence: I love apples.
Negative sentences: I do not like apples. /I don’t like apples.
Question or Interrogative sentence: Do you love apples?
How do we conjugate the Verbs?
I love apples.
You love apples.
He loves apples.
She loves apples.
It loves apples.
We love apples.
You love apples.
They love apples.
Verbs ending with Y
I try all the time.
You try all the time.
He tries all the time.
She tries all the time,
It tries all the time.
We try all the time.
You try all the time.
They try all the time.
Did you notice what happened? Yes, Y became IES when the Verb was used with Third-person singular Pronouns (HE, SHE and IT).
Look at the chart below. What do you think?
Rules for the Simple Present Tense (3): Usage
When and how do we use the Simple Present Tense?
We use it to:
Talk about facts and general truths.
E.g. The earth revolves around the sun.
Talk about habits, repeated actions and daily routines.
E.g. I wake up at six o’clock in the morning.
Talk about the present.
E.g. I’m tired now.
Talk about the future.
E.g. She arrives at eight this evening.
Give instructions and directions
E.g. You mix the flour with all the dry ingredients.
Tell a story.
E.g. He walks into the crowded room. Everyone stares at him.
YOUR TURN: Can you think of sentences that illustrate these different values of the Simple Present Tense? Be imaginative!
Further Exploration: (The Simple Present tense)
Download Worksheet:
Read:
- English Grammar (The Simple Present): Lesson 4-Talk about the Present, Learn English With Africa, June 2020
- English Grammar (The Simple Present): Lesson 3-Give Instructions or Directions, Learn English With Africa, June 2020
- English Grammar (The Simple Present): Lesson 2-Talk about Habits and Routines, Learn English With Africa, May 2020
- English Grammar (The Simple Present): Lesson 1-Talk about Facts and General Truths, Learn English With Africa, May 2020
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About the Author
Thandi Ngwira Gatignol is the founder of Learn English With Africa. She was born on June 11th, 1981 in Blantyre, Malawi. When she was 19, she left her country of birth for France. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband in Poland.
Thandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English studies obtained at the Université Paris X Nanterre in France and a Certificate in Journalism from Malawi. She has taught English as a French Ministry of Education certified teacher both in France and in Poland. She speaks six languages fluently, including French, Polish and Italian. She is now learning Kiswahili, German and Spanish. Salt No More is her debut novel and you can find her other books here on the website or on Amazon.
Course Title: English Grammar (The Simple Present): Lesson 5-Simple Rules for the Simple Present Tense© Learn English With Africa, June 2020
