present simple tense

what is the present simple tense?

There are 3 tenses to understand:

  • past
  • present
  • future

 

The present tense means that an event happens now. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s happening at this exact moment, but it happens regularly, to this day. It describes a routine. If you are describing your morning routine, you are using the present simple (or simple present in American English).

 

For example: I wake up, I get up, I make a coffee, I have a shower, I get dressed then I go to work. This is all the simple present tense (and are often used with adverbs of frequency).

present simple tense examples with highlighted verbs in simple sentences

present simple tense structure

The structure of the present simple tense is Subject + Verb + Object. The verb used in this structure is the infinitive (base form, first column). For example:

  • I like apples.
  • We share everything.
  • Dad takes me.
present simple tense sentence structure with examples and colour-coded parts of speech
present simple verbs chart showing infinitive, past simple, and past participle forms

HOT TIP – If you know your verbs (especially irregular verbs), you’ll find this a lot easier. You can revise regular and irregular verb lists here.

present simple rules (the third person)

There is a rule when using the present simple tense in the third person (he/she/it). We must add an ‘s’ to the end of the verb. For example:

  • He plays golf.
  • She eats pizza.
  • It likes carrots.
present simple third person singular

There are however exceptions to this rule.

If the base form of the verb ends in ch, o, ss, sh, x or z, add an ‘es’ onto the end of the verb.

present simple rules

If the verb ends in a ‘y’, remove the ‘y’ and add ‘ies’.

present simple third person singular

There are two irregular verbs that don’t follow this rule. They are ‘be’ and ‘have’. Their forms in the third person are: be – is and have – has. (they do in fact end with an ‘s’).

present simple third person singular be and have

Modal verbs don’t follow the ‘add an s’ rule in the third person singular.

present simple third person singular modal verbs rules

present simple uses and examples

So, when do we use the present simple tense, I hear you ask? Well, there are a few uses for this tense:

For repeated actions, habits, and fixed arrangements

  • We walk to school.
  • She brushes her teeth before bed.
  • College begins in September.
illustration showing uses of present simple tense with examples of repeated actions, habits, and fixed arrangements for esl and efl learners

For general truths:

  • The sun rises in the east.
  • He comes from India.
present simple tense examples for general truths including criminals break the law lions eat meat and the earth orbits the sun for esl and efl learners

For instructions

  • Turn left at the bridge then walk for 100 meters.
  • Pour in the sauce and stir until thickened.
present simple tense examples for giving instructions including lift the pump press the button don’t touch the fire and wait for the green man for esl and efl learners

present simple negative form

Next, it’s time to make the present simple negative. We do this by adding the words ‘do not’ or ‘does not’ (third person singular) after the subject. Let’s take a look at an example using the verb ‘to eat’:

  • I do not (don’t) eat.
  • You do not eat.
  • He/she/it does not (doesn’t) eat.
  • We do not eat.
  • You (plural) do not eat.
  • They do not eat.

 

HOT TIP – In common speech, we use the contracted forms: don’t and doesn’t. Contractions sounds more natural and are how natives speak.

present simple negative

Interrogative sentence

We can also use the present tense to make interrogative sentences. This means to ask someone a question. We do this by adding ‘do’ or ‘does’ (third person singular) before the subject and ending with the object. Look at this example with the verb ‘to know’:

  • Do I know the answer?
  • Do you (singular) know the answer?
  • Does he/she/it know the answer?
  • Do you (plural) know the answer?
  • Do we know the answer?
  • Do they know the answer?

 

HOT TIP – A question always ends with a question mark(?). A question mark is one of the many different punctuation marks we have in English.

present simple interrogative sentences

Present simple exercises

Now that you’ve learned all about the present simple tense, why not test what you know? Take the quizzes to challenge yourself. Let’s see how many you get right!

Further study

Finding tense structures difficult? Why not try a course or English classes, here are some of the best ones around.

British council

Udemy

Rosetta Stone

Lingoda

Babbel

Now you know how to use the present simple!
From facts and habits to instructions and routines, the present simple tense is used in loads of everyday situations. Keep practising with real examples and you’ll soon feel more confident using it in your own speaking and writing. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our grammar guides and quizzes to boost your English even more!