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Questions and Answers
What form of the verb is used with the subject 'I' in the simple present tense?
What is the correct form of the verb 'to go' in the simple present tense with the subject 'he'?
What type of situation is described using the simple present tense?
What is the main difference between the simple present and the present continuous tenses?
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What is a common error to avoid when using the simple present tense?
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Which of the following verbs has the same form for all subjects in the simple present tense?
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Study Notes
Forming Sentences
- The simple present tense is formed using the base form of the verb (except for third person singular, which adds -s/-es)
- Verb forms:
- I/you/we/they: base form (e.g., I go, you eat, we live)
- he/she/it: base form + -s/-es (e.g., he goes, she eats, it lives)
Using With Different Subjects
- Singular subjects (he, she, it):
- Add -s/-es to the base form (e.g., he goes, she writes, it rains)
- Plural subjects (we, they):
- Use the base form (e.g., we go, they eat)
- Irregular verbs: follow specific patterns (e.g., I am, you are, he is)
Expressing Habits And Routines
- Use the simple present to describe:
- Daily routines (e.g., I wake up at 7am, she brushes her teeth twice a day)
- General truths (e.g., the sun rises in the east, water boils at 100°C)
- Habits (e.g., I exercise three times a week, they always arrive late)
Contrasting With The Present Continuous
- Simple present: describes habits, routines, and general truths
- Present continuous: describes actions in progress at the moment of speaking (e.g., I am studying for an exam, they are building a new hotel)
Common Errors And Exceptions
- Using the simple present with temporary or changing situations (use present continuous instead)
- Forgetting to add -s/-es for third person singular (e.g., he go instead of he goes)
- Using the simple present with future time expressions (use the future simple instead)
- Exceptions: some verbs have the same form for all subjects (e.g., have, do), while others have irregular forms (e.g., be, go)
Forming Sentences
- The simple present tense is formed using the base form of the verb, except for third person singular, which adds -s/-es.
- Verb forms for I/you/we/they are in the base form, while he/she/it forms are in the base form plus -s/-es.
Using With Different Subjects
- Singular subjects (he, she, it) add -s/-es to the base form.
- Plural subjects (we, they) use the base form.
- Irregular verbs follow specific patterns.
Expressing Habits And Routines
- Use the simple present to describe daily routines, general truths, and habits.
- Examples: I wake up at 7am, she brushes her teeth twice a day, the sun rises in the east, and I exercise three times a week.
Contrasting With The Present Continuous
- The simple present describes habits, routines, and general truths.
- The present continuous describes actions in progress at the moment of speaking.
Common Errors And Exceptions
- Avoid using the simple present for temporary or changing situations; use the present continuous instead.
- Remember to add -s/-es for third person singular.
- Use the future simple for future time expressions, not the simple present.
- Exceptions include verbs like have and do, which have the same form for all subjects, and irregular verbs like be and go.
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Description
Learn how to form sentences in the simple present tense, including verb forms and usage with different subjects.
