Present Simple
The Present Simple tense is used to express habitual actions, general truths, and facts. It is often used with adverbs of frequency like 'always', 'usually', and 'never'. The third-person singular requires an 's' or 'es' at the end of the verb.
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Present simple with the verb 'be'
The present simple is one of the most frequently used tenses in English, so a secure command of it is essential. Its formation is a common source of error among learners.
The verb 'be' behaves differently from every other verb in this tense, so it is treated separately here. Consider 'be' first:
This is the affirmative form, meaning an ordinary statement rather than a negative or a question. It is also known as the positive form.
| Affirmative | Contracted Affirmative |
|---|---|
| I am | I'm |
| you are | you're |
| he is | he's |
| she is | she's |
| it is | it's |
| we are | we're |
| they are | they're |
The negative is formed by adding 'not' after the verb.
| Negative | Contracted Negative |
|---|---|
| I am not | I'm not |
| you are not | you aren't |
| he is not | he isn't |
| she is | she isn't |
| it is | it isn't |
| we are | we aren't |
| they are | they aren't |
Finally, consider the question form of the present simple with 'be'.
The 'yes / no' question form is as follows:
| Yes/No Questions |
|---|
| am I? |
| are you? |
| is he? |
| is she? |
| is it? |
| are we? |
| are they? |
To form a 'wh' question, place the question word at the front:
| Wh Questions | |
|---|---|
| where | am I? |
| what | are you? |
| why | is he? |
| who | is she? |
| when | is it? |
| where | are we? |
| how | are they? |
Present simple with other verbs
All other verbs form the present simple in the same way.
The affirmative is simply the bare verb, with an added 's' when the subject is 'he', 'she' or 'it'. The verb 'make' serves as an example:
| Affirmative (of 'make') |
|---|
| I make |
| you make |
| he makes |
| she makes |
| it makes |
| we make |
| they make |
Omitting that 's' is one of the most persistent errors in English, and it occurs even at advanced levels.
A small number of verbs undergo a spelling change before the 's'. For example, 'study' becomes 'studies'.
The negative is formed with the auxiliary 'do not' (don't) or 'does not' (doesn't).
| Negative (of 'make') | |
|---|---|
| I do not make | I don't make |
| you do not make | you don't make |
| he does not make | he doesn't make |
| she does not make | she doesn't make |
| it does not make | it doesn't make |
| we do not make | we don't make |
| they do not make | they don't make |
Now consider the question form of the present simple.
The auxiliary 'do' or 'does' is placed before the subject to form the 'yes / no' question:
| Yes / No Questions |
|---|
| do I make? |
| do you make? |
| does he make? |
| does she make? |
| does it make? |
| do we make? |
| do they make? |
As with 'be', a 'wh' question is formed by placing the question word at the front:
| Wh Questions | |
|---|---|
| where | do I make? |
| what | do you make? |
| why | does he make? |
| who | does she make? |
| when | does it make? |
| where | do we make? |
| how | do they make? |
Uses of the present simple
1. The present simple is used for what is generally or permanently true.
- People need food.
- It snows in winter here.
- Two and two make four.
2. It is also used for situations regarded as more or less permanent. For temporary situations, see the present continuous.
- Where do you live?
- She works in a bank.
- I don't like mushrooms.
3. It expresses habits and regular actions. Adverbs of frequency such as 'often', 'always' and 'sometimes' are common here, as are expressions like 'every Sunday' or 'twice a month'. For new, temporary or irritating habits, see the present continuous.
- Do you smoke?
- I play tennis every Tuesday.
- I don't travel very often.
4. It also describes very brief actions taking place at the moment of speaking, actions so short that they are complete almost as soon as the sentence has been uttered. Sports commentary relies heavily on this use.
- He takes the ball, he runs down the wing, and he scores!
5. It refers to the future when a timetable or fixed schedule is involved. The timetable is normally set by an organisation rather than by the speaker.
- School begins at nine tomorrow.
- What time does the film start?
- The plane doesn't arrive at seven. It arrives at seven thirty.
6. It also refers to the future after 'when', 'until', 'after', 'before' and 'as soon as'. Clauses of this kind are known as subordinate clauses of time.
- I will call you when I have time. (Not 'will have'.)
- I won't go out until it stops raining.
- I'm going to make dinner after I watch the news.
7. The present simple appears in both the zero conditional and the first conditional.
- If it rains, we won't come.
- If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.