Present Simple Tense in English Grammar

Study Notes

The present simple tense is a commonly used verb tense in English, used to describe actions that are habitual or generally true. It's formed by using the base form of the verb, with an 's' added to the third person singular. The present simple has several rules and uses, including:

Rules

To form the present simple, use the base form of the verb (without -s for regular verbs, and with -es, -s, or -ies for irregular verbs).
In the third person singular (he, she, it), add an 's', 'es', or 'ies' to the base form of the verb.
When using the verb "to be" in the present simple, use the appropriate form for each personal pronoun (e.g., "I am", "You are", "He is", etc.).

Form

The present simple is formed by using the base form of the verb with an 's' added in the third person singular. For example, "I play soccer" or "He plays soccer".

Examples

Habitual actions or occurrences: "I drink coffee every morning" or "She only eats fish."
Facts or general truths: "Water freezes at zero degrees" or "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
Future plans or arrangements: "Our holiday starts on the 26th March" or "His mother arrives tomorrow."

Uses

The present simple is used to express habits or customs, facts or general truths, future plans or arrangements, and to give instructions or directions. It's also used to describe actions that are currently occurring.

Present Simple and Future Time

The present simple is used to talk about fixed future events, something in the future after time words like "when", "after", and "before", and after some conjunctions like "if" and "unless". For example, "The school term starts next week" or "I'll talk to John when I see him."

Stative or Link Verbs

We also use the present simple to talk about the past when we are telling a story or speculating about the future. In a speaking exam where we're asked to speculate what will happen next in an image, we would use appropriate forms.

In summary, the present simple tense is a versatile and commonly used verb form in English, used to express habitual actions, general truths, and fixed or scheduled future events.

Description

Learn about the rules, formation, uses, and examples of the present simple tense in English grammar. Understand how to use this tense to describe habitual actions, general truths, and fixed future events. Explore how the present simple is used for expressing customs, scheduled plans, and ongoing actions.