Generally , There are twelve tenses in English. In this lesson we are going to learn about uses simple present tense in English.
- Definition of simple present tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
- Sentence pattern of simple present tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
- Key words of Simple Present Tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
- Adverbs Of Frequency
- Interrogative Sentence/Question Sentences Of Simple Present Tense
- Negative Sentence Of Simple Present Tense
- Interrogative Of Negative Sentence Of Simple Present Tense
- Short Forms
Definition of simple present tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
Commonly , Under the title of Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English ,the simple present tense is used to talk about routine activities , facts and States that are permanent and true.
Ex:- The sun rises in the east.
The sun sets in the west.
Sentence pattern of simple present tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
Under the title of Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English ,
subject + Base Verb
Generally, we are going to divide the type of base verb into two types those are BV1 and BV2.
Now let’s discuss how to make VB2
But , If a verb ends these letters,( S,SH,CH,X,O)
we should add “ES” to make BV2.
BV1. BV2
Guess. Guesses
Wash. Washes
Catch. Catches
Fix. Fixes
Go. Goes
But when there is a verb ends “Y” we should notice this rule.
Although, there is a vowel before the letter “y” add only “s” to make BV2.
BV1. BV2
Play. Plays
Pray. Prays
But when there is no vowel in front of the letter “Y” It means if consonant finds before “Y” we need to add “IES” to make BV2.
(Before adding “IES” we should remove “Y”)
BV1. BV2
Cry. Cries
Fly. Flies
Generally, when a verb ends in other letters except above two conditions , we need to add only “S” to make BV2.
BV1. BV2
Write. Writes
Sleep. Sleeps
Put. Puts
Call. Calls
Here, we have divided the Base verbs into two types.
Here, when the subject is plural, we should use BV1.
when the subject is singular, we should use BV2.
Here, “I” is the exception and we have to use “BV1” even though is singular.
Now let’s look at some examples of Simple present tense.
Ex:- I go.
Here, even though “I” is singular we have to use BV1.
We go.
They go
You go.
My friends go.
He goes.
She goes.
It goes.
My friend goes.
Key words of Simple Present Tense (Uses Of Simple Present Tense In English)
Everyday
Every week
Every month
Every year
Twice a day
Twice a week
Twice a month
Twice a year
Thrice a day
Thrice a week
Thrice a month
Thrice a year
Four times a day
Four times a week
Four times a month
Four times a year
This will continue like it.
These words are only used at the end of a sentence in the Simple Present Tense.
Let us see some examples of these.
I go shopping everyday.
They go shopping every week.
We go shopping every month.
You go shopping every year.
He goes shopping four times a month.
She goes shopping thrice a month.
Above, the examples are shown. But ,we need to note that the BV2 is with singular subject and BV1 is with singular subject.This is the most important things in simple present tense.
Adverbs Of Frequency
Always
Usually
Generally
Regularly
Normally
Frequently
Typically
Often
Sometimes
Occasionally
Seldom
Rarely
Hardly ever
Never
Thus, some words are found which we call adverbs of frequency .
But these types of words are used between the subject and the verb in a sentence of Simple present tense.
Let us see some more examples of these.
I usually study at home.
We never play cricket.
They always eat chicken.
He sometimes comes to school.
She rarely cooks rice and curry.
Thus, we can see many examples.
In English, if we take a sentence, that sentences are Positive sentences, interrogative / Question sentences, negative sentences and interrogative of negative.
Interrogative Sentence/Question Sentences Of Simple Present Tense
Now let us see some examples of this.
On this basis, there are two auxiliary verbs / Helping verbs are in the simple present, “Do” and “Does”.
In a positive sentence of simple present tense, auxiliary verbs are hidden.
In a sentence, auxiliary verbs are between the subject and the main verb of the sentence.
Ex:- I am eating.
Here ” I” is the subject.
“AM” is auxiliary verb.
“Eating” is the main verb.
Here, we give you all the auxiliary / helping verbs in English.
Am,is,are, was,were,will be
Have,has,had
Do,does,did
If we want to convert a sentence into a question/interrogative sentence, we have to write the helping verb before the subject of the sentence.
Ex:- Mala always goes to school by bus.
This is positive sentence.now, we change this sentence into question.
BV1:- Do
BV2:-Does
Helping verb “Do” is used in a sentence where is BV1.
Helping verb “Does” is used in a sentence where is BV2.
EX:- You usually invite them for your birthday party.
Ex:- You usually invite them for your birthday party.
Question:- Do you usually invite them for your birthday party?
Let’s look at one more example.
Ex:- He usually invites them for his birthday party.
EX:-He usually invites them for his birthday party.
Question:-Does he usually invite them for his birthday party?
Negative Sentence Of Simple Present Tense
If we want to make a sentence of the simple present tense into negative sentence, we have to add the word “not” with its helping verb that appears in the sentence.
Ex:- You always invite them for your birthday party.
Based on the above example we know that this sentence is a positive sentence of simple present tense.so the helping verb is hidden in positive sentence of simple present sentence.
Ex:- You always invite them for your birthday party.
Negative:- you do not always invite them for your birthday party.
Ex:- He always invites them for his birthday party.
Negative:- He does not always invite them for his birthday party.
When the frequency of adverb is in a sentence, when we convert that sentence into negative form , we must use the words “do not” and “does not” between the subject and its frequency of adverb is in the sentence.
That is why in these two examples do not and does not are between the subject and frequency of adverbs of the sentence.
Here, when the verb is found as BV2 that verb should be changed to BV1. Here BV1 is its base verb.
Interrogative Of Negative Sentence Of Simple Present Tense
The Interrogative of Negative Sentence of simple present tense is converting the negative sentence into interrogative sentence.
Thus, it is very easy to change the interrogative of a negative sentence. we have to write the words “do” and “does” before the subject of sentence.you should write the word “not” after the subject.
Ex:- You do not invite them to your birthday party.
Interrogative of negative:-
Do you not invite them to your birthday party?
Ex:- He does not invite them to his birthday party
Interrogative of negative:-
Does he not invite them to his birthday party?
If you write “don’t” and “doesn’t” it must be written before the subject.
Ex:- He doesn’t invite them to his birthday party.
Doesn’t he invite them to his birthday party?
From the above two examples, you will know how to convert a negative sentence into an interrogative of negative sentence.
Short Forms
Do not :- Don’t
Does not :- Doesn’t
Ex:- you don’t always invite them for your birthday party.
Don’t you always invite them for your birthday party?
Ex:- He doesn’t always invite them for his birthday party.
Doesn’t he always invite them for his birthday party?
An introduction to the English Language