Present Simple Overview

Present Simple Overview

• The present simple is a crucial English verb tense.
• The verb "be" is different from other verbs in the present simple.
• The present simple is used to describe habits, routines, and general truths.

Present Simple: Verb 'Be'

• Positive form: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, they are (shortened: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're)
• Negative form: I am not, you are not, he/she/it is not, we are not, they are not (shortened: I'm not, you aren't, he isn't, she isn't, it isn't, we aren't, they aren't)
• Question form: Am I?, Are you?, Is he/she/it?, Are we?, Are they? (subject-verb inversion)
• Wh-questions: Use a wh-word first (e.g., Where am I? Why is he at home?)

Present Simple: Other Verbs

• Positive form: I play, you play, he/she/it plays, we play, they play (add -s to the verb for 3rd person singular—he, she, it)
• Spelling Changes: Some verbs change spelling for 3rd person singular (e.g., study becomes studies).
• Irregular Verbs: have (has), do (does), go (goes) in 3rd person singular.
• Negative form: I do not play, you do not play, he/she/it does not play, we do not play, they do not play (shortened: I don't, you don't, he/she/it doesn't, we don't, they don't).
• Question form: Do I play?, Do you play?, Does he/she/it play?, Do we play?, Do they play? (use do/does, verb stays the same)
• Wh-questions: Use a wh-word first (e.g., Where do I play? Who does she play with?)