The present simple tense
Grammatical tense that locates a situation or event in present time. This linguistic definition refers to a concept that indicates a feature of the meaning of a verb. However, in discussions of specific languages, the term "present tense" is often used to refer to a particular grammatical form that, depending on the language, may frequently be used to express the present nature of an action or, in some cases, may be used to express nonpresent action. The discussion in this article focuses on the forms used in various languages. In English, present tense form may be used to express action in the present, a current state of being, an occurrence in the future, or an action that started in the past and continues. ENGLISH Speak I You speak speak FRENCH parler je tu il/elle/on nous vous ils/elles parle parles parle parlons parlez parlent finir finis finis finit finissons finissez finissent SPANISH yo t l / ella / habla come usted nosotros hablamos comemos vosotros hablis comis ellos / ellas / hablan comen ustedes hablar comer hablo como hablas comes
He/she / it speaks We You speak speak
They speak
Simple Present Present Progressive
Form
Simple Present Present Progressive
infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's') I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak
form of 'be' and verb + ing I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking
Exceptions Exceptions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es. Example: do - he does, wash - she washes After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays Exceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying
Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday. present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV. right now
Present Progressive
Look! Colin is playing football now. also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching. Signal words
always every ... often normally usually sometimes seldom
at the moment at this moment today now right now Listen! Look!
never first then
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want Timetable / Schedule or arrangement? Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule? Simple Present action set by a timetable or schedule The film starts at 8 pm. Daily routine or just for a limited period of time? Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time? Simple Present daily routine Bob works in a restaurant. Certain Verbs The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).
Present Progressive arrangement for the near future I am going to the cinema tonight.
Present Progressive only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking) Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.
state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit Example: We are on holiday.
possession: belong, have Example: Sam has a cat.
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch Example: He feels the cold.
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example: Jane loves pizza.
brain work: believe, know, think, understand Example: I believe you.
Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say Example: I am watching TV, he says.
