English Verb Tense Basics

Verb Tense in English

• The correct answer is c. rises.
• The sentence describes a general truth about the sun's movement.
• This uses the simple present tense, which is used for facts, habits, and routines.
• The simple present tense is often used with adverbs of time such as "always," "often," "usually," and "sometimes" to describe habits that happen regularly.
• The simple present tense is also used to indicate general truths. This is the case when describing habitual behavior, facts about nature, or rules.

Understanding Present Tense

• Simple present tense: Used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or facts.
• Examples of the simple present for general truths:
  • The sun rises in the east.
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
  • Birds fly.
  • Dogs bark.
• Examples of simple present used for habits:
  • My sister plays the piano every day.
  • I usually go to work at 8am.
• The simple present (Third Person Singular): When describing habits or general truths regarding one person, the verb form usually needs an ending 's' or 'es'.

Considering the Alternatives

• a. rise: This is the base form of the verb, and lacks the necessary 's' to complete the verb tense structure in this sentence regarding the subject "the sun" (the subject is third person singular).
• b. is rising: This uses the present continuous tense, which describes an action happening now. This is not needed and does not fit the context.
• d. will rise: This is the future tense. This is unnecessary in the present tense format presented. This describes an action that will happen in the future.

Distinction Between Present Continuous and Simple Present

• The present continuous tense uses "be" + the verb's present participle (-ing form).
• The present continuous describes an action at a specific moment or period, and is used when the action is happening now and temporary.
• The simple present tense does not describe something happening at that specific moment or a temporary action.