Simple Present
The simple present tense is the most commonly used tense in English and is used in contexts that cannot be expressed using other tenses, it is absolutely essential for all English students to learn how to use this tense appropriately.
This tense is used to:
1) To describe general truths (continuous or frequent).
2) To describe routines.
3) To talk about facts.
4) To talk about intentions.
5) To talk about opinions.
6) To talk about scheduled events.
7) To talk about location with the verb be.
8) To give commands (imperative).
Time Expressions
The simple present tense is often used with frequency adverbs and frequency adverb phrases. However it is not necessary to always mention frequency with the simple present tense and frequency time expressions are also used with every other verb tense In English. In some limited cases future time expressions can be used with the simple present tense as well, most often when talking about scheduled events or intentions.
Formation - Affirmative Statements & Questions
In most cases affirmative statements in the simple present are formed using the infinitive form of a main verb depending on the subject. However when the subject is singular, it is necessary to add –s. If the main verb ends in -o, -ch, -sh, -ss, or -z, we add –es. If the main verb ends in a consonant and -y drop the -y and add –ies. The verb -be is an exception to this rule, the simple present form of the verb -be is either -am, -is, or -are. Affirmative questions in the simple present are formed with the auxiliary verb -do in the simple present tense (-do / -does) placed before the subject and a main verb in the infinitive form. Questions in the simple present tense with the verb -be and modal verbs are not formed with the verb -do, they have their own question forms.
Structure used to form affirmative statements in the simple present
Subject + main verb in the simple present tense
Structure used to form affirmative questions in the simple present
Do / Does + subject + main verb in the infinitive form?
Examples
Ex: I like to cook different dishes from around the world.
Ex: Does Mark have large family?
Ex: She argues with everyone.
Ex: The meeting starts at 3.
Examples with exceptions
Go - He goes to the gym daily.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in the letter -o with a singular subject.
Search - My dog searches for sticks when I take him to the park.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in the letters -ch with a singular subject.
Fish - My uncle fishes in a lake nearby.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in the letters -sh with a singular subject.
Discuss - George discusses politics at work.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in the letters -ss with a singular subject.
Blitz - The Giant's defense blitzes rival quarterbacks effectively every time the ball snaps.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in the letter -z with a singular subject.
Identify - She identifies the value of antiques.
Note: This is an example using a verb that ends in a consonant followed by the letter -y with a singular subject.
Formation - Negative Statements & Questions
Negative statements in the simple present tense are formed with the auxiliary verb -do in the simple present tense (-do / -does) followed by the adverb -not and a main verb in the infinitive form with all verbs except the verb -be and modal verbs which have their own negative and question forms. Negative questions in the simple present are formed with the auxiliary verb -do in the simple present tense (-do / -does) placed before the subject followed by the adverb -not and a main verb in the infinitive form. Negative questions are meant to express surprise, confirm information, or encourage agreement.
Structure used to form negative statements in the simple present
Subject + (do / does) not + main verb in the infinitive form
Structure used to form negative questions in the simple present
Do / Does + subject + not + main verb in the infinitive form?
Examples
Ex: Don't you have time to help me?
Ex: Mike doesn't like horror movies.
Ex: Do they not plan on going to the meeting?
Ex: I do not ride in hot air balloons.
Simple Present uses
To describe general truths
Note: General truths are actions that happen regularly and are formed with dynamic verbs (frequency) or actions that describe states and are formed with stative verbs, general truths are prone to eventual change.
Note: To speak in general we must often use plural nouns and noncountable nouns, however it is not always necessary.
Examples - Frequency
Ex: I play videogames when I have free time.
Ex: Mark doesn't cook.
Ex: She takes care of children.
Ex: Do John and Sara work together?
Ex: We eat a lot of meat in our family.
Ex: Doesn't Sarah make handmade necklaces?
Ex: He doesn't drink wine.
Ex: They often watch movies on Netflix.
Examples - States
Ex: I care about my future.
Ex: They own a home in the Hamptons.
Ex: Does Paul know how to speak French?
Ex: Don't you remember what happened?
Ex: They are members of a book club.
Ex: He hates mosquitoes.
Ex: Doesn't Mark want to move to another neighborhood?
Ex: I prefer hotels to staying at Airbnbs.
To describe routines
Note: To describe routines must often use frequency time expressions, however it is not always necessary.
Examples
Ex: I watch movies almost every weekend.
Ex: John walks his dog every morning at 9am.
Ex: They don't play soccer on Sundays..
Ex: She normally wakes up early in the morning.
Ex: Does he always get to work before 8?
Ex: Don't the sanitation workers work on Saturdays?
Ex: William goes to church all the time.
Ex: My bank never open on weekends.
To talk about facts
Examples
Ex: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Ex: Washington D.C. is the capital of the US.
Ex: Tomatoes aren't vegetables.
Ex: Energy can only transform from one form to another.
Ex: Do oil and water mix?
Ex: Doesn't water freeze at 0 degrees Celsius?
Ex: Sugary liquids caramelize when heated.
Ex: France isn't in Eastern Europe.
To talk about intentions
Note: This requires specific verbs and phrases such as intend, plan, hope, aim, propose, resolve, mean, aspire, expect, want, desire, be determined, wish, etc..
Examples
Ex: I am determined to finish the website.
Ex: They plan to move to another country.
Ex: She doesn't want to work for that company.
Ex: Does Charles intend to get a new job?
Ex: Mark doesn't aspire to become a manger.
Ex: We wish to visit Japan.
Ex: The government means to raise taxes.
Ex: I desire to own a home.
To talk about about opinions
Note: This requires specific verbs and phrases such as think, believe, feel, consider, surmise, reckon, opine, argue, maintain, contend, suppose, guess, deem, be under the impression, imagine, should, etc..
Examples
Ex: I believe NYC is very expensive.
Ex: Laura thinks the stock market is about to crash.
Ex: They don't feel the city is doing enough to fix the roads.
Ex: Don't they consider this neighborhood safe?
Ex: John is under the impression Japan is the most exciting travel destination.
Ex: Does he maintain that we should start over?
Ex: She doesn't suppose it's a good idea.
Ex: I guess things could always be worse.
To talk about scheduled events
Examples
Ex: My flight departs at 8am.
Ex: The store doesn't open until 9.
Ex: What time does the movie begin?
Ex: Doesn't the ship sail on August 25th?
Ex: I have an appointment on the 13th.
Ex: The meeting starts at noon.
Ex: When is her birthday party?
Ex: The convention ends next week.
To talk about locations with the verb be
Note: The verb -be is also used to talk about location in other verb tenses as well, however the simple present tense is used most often to express this context.
Examples
Ex: I am at home.
Ex: Where are they?
Ex: Aren't they there yet?
Ex: The nearest pharmacy is 2 miles away.
Ex: Isn't that hospital in Brooklyn?
Ex: He is still in France.
Ex: Mark isn't in LA.
Ex: Are the comic books in the basement?
To give commands (imperative)
Note: We use the root form (infinitive) of a verb at the beginning of a clause to give commands, negative commands are given using the verb -do. The subject of a command is -you and is normally not mentioned as it is implied with the person you are speaking with, however the word -you is only spoken to clarify who the command is for (when there are many people around) or to emphasize the command, although this is not done frequently. The word -please is normally used along with a command for it to sound polite. We may also use a person's name before giving a command, this is also usually to clarify who the command is for, to emphasize the command, or to make it sound less harsh, this is also not done frequently.
Examples
Ex: Open the door for me please.
Ex: Make sure to clean your room.
Ex: Don't start the test until I tell you to.
Ex: You, help him with what he needs.
Ex: Do not tell me lies.
Ex: Shut up!
Ex: Please, take this to Robert.
Ex: Charles, call the client and tell him we will be late please.
To give negative commands (imperative) with the verb be
Note: The verb -do is used to give negative commands with the verb -be, this is the only instance when the verb
-do is used to form negations with the verb -be.
Examples
Ex: Don't be late for the meeting.
Ex: Don't be foolish, listen to reason.
Ex: Do not be a trouble maker.
Note: Negative questions are usually asked with contractions especially in spoken English
Note: This is not a complete list of all frequency time expressions, however it includes many of the most common expressions.