What Is the Simple Present Tense?

When you use a verb to describe events that continuously occur in the present, such as every day, every week, or every month, you are using the simple present tense. Any event that occurs frequently or is factual is expressed in the simple present tense. Some examples:

• I go to the office every day.
• We play outside after school each day.
• Every Sunday they eat out for dinner.

The verbs “go,” “play,” and “eat” are all in the simple present tense in these sentences. They discuss events that occur frequently in the present. The simple present tense is also used to express feelings and fundamental facts.

For example:

• The sky is blue.

Since “is” is a verb that expresses a fact about something, it is in the simple present tense.

• I am bored.
• They are so excited.

The words “am” and “are” convey feelings and are in the simple present tense.

Just keep in mind that you’re discussing something that keeps happening in the present when you use a simple present tense verb.

How to form the Simple Present

Most regular verbs utilize the root form in the simple present, with the exception of third-person singular (which ends in –s).

First-person singular: I write

Second-person singular: You write

Third-person singular: He/she/it writes (note the –s)

First-person plural: We write

Second-person plural: You write

Third-person plural: They write

The third-person singular form of a few verbs ends in -es rather than -s. These verbs typically have roots that end in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.

First-person singular: I go

Second-person singular: You go

Third-person singular: He/she/it goes (note the –es)

First-person plural: We go

Second-person plural: You go

Third-person plural: They go

The negation of the verb is usually placed before the verb in sentences like “She won’t go” or “I don’t smell anything.”

The verb to be is irregular:

First-person singular: I am

Second-person singular: You are

Third-person singular: He/she/it is

First-person plural: We are

Second-person plural: You are

Third-person plural: They are

How to make the Simple Present Negative

Simple present verbs can be made negative by adding do/does not to the root form of the verb. Instead of do not or does not, you can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t.

Example:

• Gary does not want to share the cake.
• He doesn’t think there is enough to go around.
• Her friends do not understand.
• I don’t want cake anyway.

The formula is [to be] + not to make the verb to be negative.

Example:

• I am not a cake lover, but Gary sure is.
• You aren’t ready for a such a delicious cake.

How to ask a Question

To ask a question in the simple present tense, use the formula do/does + [subject] + [root form of verb].

Example:

• Do you know how to bake a cake?
• How much does Gary love cake?

 

Common verbs in the simple present

The verb to be in the simple present