Present Simple
The present simple (also called present simple or present indefinite) is a verb tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization. Less commonly, the simple present can be used to talk about scheduled actions in the near future and, in some cases, actions happening now. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and simple present exercises.
Present Simple Forms
The present simple is just the base form of the verb. Questions are made with do and negative forms are made with do not.
- Statement: You speak English.
- Question: Do you speak English?
- Negative: You do not speak English.
In the third person singular, -s or -es is added. Questions are made with does and negative forms are made with does not.
- Statement: He speaks English.
- Question: Does he speak English?
- Negative: He does not speak English.
Complete List of Present Simple Forms
Present Simple Uses
USE 1 Repeated Actions
Use the present simple to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:
- I play tennis.
- She does not play tennis.
- Does he play tennis?
- The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
- The train does not leave at 9 AM.
- When does the train usually leave?
- She always forgets her purse.
- He never forgets his wallet.
- Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
- Does the Sun circle the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
The present simple can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:
- Cats like milk.
- Birds do not like milk.
- Do pigs like milk?
- California is in America.
- California is not in the United Kingdom.
- Windows are made of glass.
- Windows are not made of wood.
- New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use present simple to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
- The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
- The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
- When do we board the plane?
- The party starts at 8 o'clock.
- When does class begin tomorrow?
USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Speakers sometimes use the present simple to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with non-continuous verbs and certain mixed verbs.
Examples:
- I am here now.
- She is not here now.
- He needs help right now.
- He does not need help now.
- He has his passport in his hand.
- Do you have your passport with you?
Present Simple Tips
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
- You only speak English.
- Do you only speak English?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
- Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
- Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive
Verb Tense Chart
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Future Simple |
| I study English every day. | Two years ago, I studied English in England. | If you are having problems, I will help you study English. I am going to study English next year. |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous | Future Continuous |
| I am studying English now. | I was studying English when you called yesterday. | I will be studying English when you arrive tonight. I am going to be studying English when you arrive tonight. |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect | Future Perfect |
| I have studied English in several different countries. | I had studied a little English before I moved to the U.S. | I will have studied every tense by the time I finish this course. I am going to have studied every tense by the time I finish this course. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous | Future Perfect Continuous |
| I have been studying English for five years. | I had been studying English for five years before I moved to the U.S. | I will have been studying English for over two hours by the time you arrive. I am going to have been studying English for over two hours by the time you arrive. |
