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2023, 18:21 Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) | Grammarly

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Simple Present Tense: How to Use It,

With Examples

Grammarly
Updated on April 11, 2023
GRAMMAR

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25.05.2023, 18:21 Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) | Grammarly

The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present
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tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or
unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on
the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding
s or es to the end.

Example I feel great!

Pauline loves pie.

I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.

The other is to talk about habitual actions or occurrences.

Example Pauline practices the piano every day.

Ms. Jackson travels during the summer.

Hamsters run all night.

Typically, when we want to describe a temporary action that is currently in

progress, we use the present continuous: Pauline can’t come to the phone right
now because she is brushing her teeth.

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How to form the simple present

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25.05.2023, 18:21 Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) | Grammarly

In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-
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person singular (which ends in s).

First-person singular: I write.

Second-person singular: You write.

Third-person singular: He/she/it writes. (Note the s.)

First-person plural: We write.

Second-person plural: You write.

Third-person plural: They write.

For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with es instead of s. Typically,
these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.

First-person singular: I go.

Second-person singular: You go.

Third-person singular: He/she/it goes. (Note the es.)

First-person plural: We go.

Second-person plural: You go.

Third-person plural: They go.

For most regular verbs, you put the negation of the verb before the verb, e.g., “She
won’t go” or “I don’t smell anything.”

The verb to be is irregular:

First-person singular: I am.

Second-person singular: You are.

Third-person singular: He/she/it is.

First-person plural: We are.

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Second-person plural: You are.

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Third-person plural: They are.

How to make the simple present negative

The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root
form of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not
or does not.

Example Pauline does not want to share the pie.

She doesn’t think there is enough to go around.

Her friends do not agree.

I don’t want pie anyway.

To make the verb to be negative, the formula is [to be] + not.

Example I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is.

You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.

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How to ask a question

The formula for asking a question in the simple present is do/does + [subject] +
[root form of verb].

Example Do you know how to bake a pie?

How much does Pauline love pie?

Common verbs in the simple present

Infinitive I, You, We, They He, She, It

to ask ask / do not ask asks / does not ask

to work work / do not work works / does not work

to call call / do not call calls / does not call

to use use / do not use uses / does not use

to have have / do not have has / does not have

The verb to be in the simple present

Infinitive I You, We, They He, She, It

to be am / am not are / are not is / is not

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