Present-Indefinite-Tense

Simple Present Tense (present indefinite tense)

It is used to express an action in present time, habitual or usual actions or daily event or universal fact.

Uses of Present Simple (or Indefinite) Tense: 
1.  We use the present simple to talk about universal truths (for example, laws of nature) or things we believe are or are not true.
Examples.
The earth revolves around the sun. (Universal truth)
Dogs are better than cat.                 (Generalization)
The elephant doesn’t fly.                 (Fact)

2.  We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example: habits, routines, tendencies, repeated actions or unchanged situations, emotions and wishes.
Examples.
We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. (Routine)
My husband watches the TV in the evening.     (Habit, routine)
John rarely visits his sick grandmother.              (Tendency)

3.  We use the present simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.
Examples.
I live in New York.
He works as a fireman.

4.  It is used when an event is certain to happen in the future.
Examples.
My grandmother turns 100 this July.
Winter starts on December 21.

5.  It is used to talk about events that we can’t change.
Examples.
The meeting starts at 4 PM.
The train leaves at the noon.

6. We use it to give instructions or directions.
Examples.
Open the packet and pour the contents into hot water.

7.  It is also used in narrations, instructions or commentaries.

Sentence Structure of Simple Present Tense

Structure of positive sentence: 

Subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) +Object.

Note: If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular or proper noun” the “s” or “es” is added to the first form of verb or base form in the sentence.

Simple Sentences:
                                 Subject + Verb  +  Object

                                 (Julia      writes  a   letter.)

She goes to the market.              They go to the market.
He visits his aunt’s home.           I visit my aunt’s home.
It rains in winter.                        We play a cricket match.
Julia writes a letter.                    You eat a burger.

Structure of negative sentence: 
Subject + do/does + not + 1st form of verb (or base form) + Object.

Note: If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular noun”. Then “does not” is used after subject in sentence. If subject is “I, we, they, you or plural noun” the “do not” is used after subject in sentence.


Negative sentences:
Subject             +       Do Not/Does Not    +       Object

They/I/We/You                Do not                   Watch T.V.

He/She                             Does not                Speak French properly.

It                                      Does not                Rain in Quetta daily.

Structure of interrogative sentence:

 Do/does + Subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) + Object?

Note: If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular noun or proper noun”, the sentence is started with Auxiliary verb (helping verb) “does”. If the subject in a sentence is “I, we, they, you or plural noun”, the sentence is started with Auxiliary verb (helping verb) “do”.

Interrogative Sentences:

Helping Verb     +      Subject            +                Object?

Do                      They/I/We/You            Make a cake on Sunday?

Does                   He/She                        Take too much tea?

Does                   It                                  Rain in Brazil daily?

Previous Lesson | Next Lesson