The Present Simple Tense
- When do we use the Present Simple Tense?
1. To talk about habits (every day, every morning, every week, on Mondays …etc.
Ex. - We watch a new movie every Friday night.
2. To talk about scientific facts or nature.
Ex. - Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
3. To talk about customs and traditions.
Ex. - Italians eat pasta.
4. To talk about schedules.
Ex. - The bus comes at 9:00 sharp.
- How do we form the negative with the Present Simple Tense?
1. We need the helping verb (DO).
2. We use (DO) in the Present Simple Tense.
3. The main verb is now in the (Base Form)
4. “Base form” means the main verb doesn’t have “s”, “ed” or “ing”
Ex. - I do (helping verb in the present simple) not eat (main verb in the base form) fish.
- Alex does (helping verb in the present simple) not work (main verb in the base form) on Wednesdays.
- They do (helping verb in the present simple) not understand (main verb in the base form) the problem.
- We can use the contraction (short) form with the negative:
Ex. - He does not (doesn’t) know the way to school.
- We do not (don’t) see each other very often.
- The sun does not (doesn’t) rise from the west.
- How do we form the question with the Present Simple Tense?
1. We need the helping verb (DO).
2. We use (DO) in the Present Simple Tense.
3. The main verb is now in the (Base Form)
4. “Base form” means the main verb doesn’t have “s”, “ed” or “ing”
Ex. - Why do (helping verb in the present simple) you exercise(main verb in the base form) regularly?
- Does (helping verb in the present simple) he speak (main verb in the base form) any foreign languages?
- How does (helping verb in the present simple) she organize (main verb in the base form) her work?
- Keywords:
Use the following words in your sentences when you use the Present Simple Tense:
Always – Usually – Sometimes – Often – rarely - every day – every night – every year – every week …etc.
To check your understanding click the link:
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