Simple Present Tense

In this lesson, the most common tense in the English language will be discussed. This tense is known as the simple present tense.

The following structure is used for the simple present tense:

subject + base verb form

There is a small variation in the simple present tense when it is used with third person singular subjects:

subject + base verb form + s

Simple Present Tense Examples

Here are some examples of verbs in the present tense.

When Do We Use the Simple Present Tense?

The simple present tense is used in the following situations:

1. When the action that is occurring is general

2. When the action that is occurring happens all the time in the past, present, or future

3. When the action lasts a relatively long time

4. When the statement that is being made is always true or never true

5. When the author is using narration

Irregular Verb Endings

When it comes to third person singular subjects, there are some verbs that have irregular verb endings that are added on to the base verb to form the simple present tense.

For verbs that end in an -s, add an -es to the verb base form.

• He misses his girlfriend.

• She passes the broccoli to her brother.

For verbs that end in a -z, add an -es to the verb base form.

• She quizzes me every night before an exam.

• He waltzes like a professional.

For verbs that end in an -sh, add an -es to the verb base form.

• He washes his car every Sunday.

• She pushes her daughter on the swing.

For verbs that end in a -ch, add an -es to the verb base form.

• She watches a movie every Friday night.

• He catches bugs for a living.

For verbs that end in an -x, add an -es to the verb base form.

• She fixes the dishwasher every time it breaks down.

• He mixes the eggs into the flour.

For verbs that end in a consonant + y, change the y to an i, and then add -es to the verb base form.

• It flies from Michigan to Florida five times a day.

• He studies for six hours a night.

ESL Mistakes

Here are some more very common ESL mistakes. As you will notice, these problems are the result of errors in subject-verb agreement.

• Incorrect: I sings.

• Correct: I sing.

• Incorrect: He laugh loudly.

• Correct: He laughs loudly.

• Incorrect: I fixes my own car.

• Incorrect: He fix his own car.

• Incorrect: He fixs his own car.

• Correct: I fix my own car. Or: He fixes his own car.

• Incorrect: I misses my long hair.

• Incorrect: She miss her long hair.

• Incorrect: She misss her long hair.

• Correct: I miss my long hair. Or: She misses her long hair.

• Incorrect: I carries my doll in my right hand and my cookie in my left hand.

• Incorrect: She carry her doll in her right hand and her cookie in her left hand.

• Incorrect: She carrys her doll in her right hand and her cookie in her left hand.

• Correct: I carry my doll in my right hand and my cookie in my left hand. Or: She carries her doll in her right hand and her cookie in her left hand.

Simple Present "To Be" Verb

When using to be in the simple present tense, some variations occur according to the subject that is being used. This can be explained in the following table.

Auxiliary Verbs in the Simple Present Tense

Auxiliary verbs are rarely used for positive sentences in the simple present tense. Typically, they are only used for emphasis. Read the sentences in the table once without placing emphasis on the auxiliary and once placing emphasis on the auxiliary. See if you notice a difference.

If an auxiliary verb is used, it is most often used to form a negative sentence.

Auxiliary verbs are also used to write questions in the simple present tense.

Summary

The biggest problems with the simple present tense have to do with subject-verb agreement. Quite often, you'll see problems with to be and auxiliary verbs. The simple present tense is extremely versatile and can be used for habitual actions, as well as things that are happening in the here and now. Keep your eyes open for mixed constructions with this verb tense.

Last Updated: 09/29/2022