8 Uses of Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present tense V1 (Verb Infinitive) + s / es / ies

Form

In the affirmative the simple present has the same form as the infinitive but adds an s for the third person singular. Affirmative (+) Negative (-) Contraction Interrogative (?) Negative Interrogative (-?)

I work I do not work I don’t work Do I work? Do I not work?

He works (work+s) He does not work (do+es) He doesn’t work Does he work? Does he not work?

Verbs ending in ss, sh, ch, x and o add es, instead of s alone, to form the third person singular: Kiss Rush Watch Box Do Go

kisses rushes watches boxes does goes

When y follows a consonant we change the y into i and add es: Carry carries Copy copies Cry cries Try tries but verbs ending in y following a vowel obey the usual rule: obey obeys say says

Uses of Simple Present Tense 1) To express habitual actions a. with adverbs or adverb phrases I go to church on Sundays. It rains in winter. b. with TIME CLAUSES expressing routine or habitual actions Whenever it rains the roof leaks. When you open the door a light goes on. Be careful! If when introduces a noun clause which is the object of a verb, it is followed by a future tense. I don't know when she will arrive. I can't remember when the race will start. You must decide when you will meet them. In all these sentences the question is: What? not When? (I don't know what, I can't remember what, You must decide what.)

2) For general statements of facts The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The world is round. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. 3) With verbs which cannot be used in the continuous form (Non-continuous Verbs), a. to indicate a situation right now I have only a dollar right now. I don’t recognize that man. He needs a pen right now. b. used instead of the present continuous I love you but not I am loving you 4) In newspaper headlines PEACE TALKS FAIL MASS MURDERER ESCAPES 5) For dramatic narrative, sports events, public functions When the curtain rises, Juliet is writing at her desk. Suddenly the window opens and a masked man enters. 6) Used chiefly with the verb say, when we are asking about or quoting What does the notice say? It says, ‘No parking.’

7) For a planned future action or series of actions We leave London at 10.00 next Tuesday and arrive in Paris at 13.00. We spend two hours in Paris and leave again at 15.00. We arrive in Rome at 19.30, spend four hours in Rome. 8) In conditional sentences, type 1: probable (The verb in the if-clause is in the present tense; the verb in the main clause is in the future simple.) If I see Ann I’ll ask her. Unless you take the brake off the car won’t move.

Did you know? Future simple becomes present tense when we put it in a TIME CLAUSE. be going to: The parachutist is going to jump. Soon after he jumps his parachute will open.