Object 3

Simple Present
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Object 2
1

FORM
[VERB] + s/es in third person
Examples:

You speak English.

Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.

Complete List of Simple Present Forms

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a
habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be
something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:

I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now,
and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also
used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:

Cats like milk.

Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.

USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is
most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other
scheduled events as well.
Examples:

The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.

The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not
happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.
Examples:

I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?

ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc.
Examples:

You only speak English.

Do you only speak English?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:

Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active

Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 1 Simple Present and Present Continuous

Verb Tense Exercise 2 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Exercise 21 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 22 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 24 Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future
Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

The Present Continuous Tense - When to use

1. We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now.
Examples
The kids are watching TV.
I am sitting down, because I am tired.
I am not learning German, because this is an English class.
Who are you writing to?
2. We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening
around now, and not necessarily this very moment.
Examples
Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week.
I am reading a really interesting book now.
How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?
We aren't working hard these days.
3. The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in
the near future, especially for planned future events.
Examples
I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday.
Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.
Are you doing anything tonight?

We aren't going on holiday next week.

Present Continuous - Practice

What uses of the Present Continuous Tense do these sentences have?
1. I am playing football tonight.

---

2. I can't play with you now. I am finishing my homework.

3. Where are you studying?

---

4. What are you doing these days? Working?

5. Sally is taking a bath.

---

---

---

6. What are you doing at the weekend?

---

7. Peter and Mary are going out. They met at Adam's party last week.

---

Check It!

Quick Spelling Hint: Make sure you DO NOT spell this tense as Present Continuos or Present
Continous that appear to be very typical spelling mistakes.
Learn how to form Positive Sentences in the Present Continuous Tense
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Learn More

Present Perfect Tense - when to use; how to form; how to use yet already, for and since; the difference be

The verb to be - the Present Simple Tense. Grammar reference and online exercises for Elementary level.

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More Practice Pages:

Should and Shouldn't - When

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to use and how to use.

Grammar reference and
practice exercises for learners
of English as a second
language.

"Comparative" Geography
Quiz for Pre-Intermediate
level. A quiz that practices
comparative and superlative
forms of adjectives.

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