Simple Present Tense

What is the Simple Present Tense?

The simple present tense is one of the most basic tenses in English. We use it to talk about things that are generally true, habits, routines, scheduled events, and facts.

How to Form the Simple Present Tense:

For most verbs with I, You, We, They: Use the base form of the verb.
Example: I play, You speak, We learn, They eat.
For verbs with He, She, It (third person singular): Add an "-s" or "-es" to the base form of the verb.
Example: He plays, She speaks, It learns, The cat eats.
Spelling rules for -es:
- Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: Add -es (e.g., kisses, washes, watches, fixes, goes).
- Verbs ending in a consonant + y: Change -y to -ies (e.g., study -> studies, try -> tries).
The verb "to be" is irregular: I am, You/We/They are, He/She/It is.
The verb "to have" is irregular for third person singular: I/You/We/They have, He/She/It has.

When to Use the Simple Present:

1. General Truths & Facts:

The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Cats like milk.

2. Habits & Routines:

I wake up at 7 AM every day.
She usually drinks coffee in the morning.
They go to the gym three times a week.

3. Scheduled Events (often future meaning):

The train leaves at 9:00 PM.
Our class starts next Monday.

4. States & Feelings (Stative Verbs):

I understand the problem. (Not: I am understanding)
She loves chocolate.
He seems tired.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in simple present.

She (work) in an office.
They (play) football on weekends.
He (not / like) spicy food. (Hint: use "do/does not")
The sun (shine) brightly today.
We (study) English at CEC Languages Center.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using the third person singular (He/She/It).

I watch movies. (She)
We go to school. (He)
They have a car. (It)

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