Understanding Present Simple Tense

How to form Present Simple Tense

Here is how Present Simple Tense is formed, using the verb "to go" as an example.

PERSON	POSITIVE	QUESTION	NEGATIVE
I you he/she/it	I go You go He/She/It goes	Do I go? Do you go? Does he/she/it go?	I don’t go You don’t go He/She/It doesn’t go
we you they	We go You go They go	Do we go? Do you go? Do they go?	We don’t go You don’t go They don’t go

Please note that the third person singular (he/she/it) has an audible "s" at the end of the verb. It is very important to pronounce this correctly when speaking.

How to identify Present Simple Tense

Present Simple Tense is formed like this:

 Positive – Subject verb.

Negative - Subject (don’t / doesn’t ) verb.

Question - (Do / Does) subject verb?

"I go shopping at least twice a week."

This is present simple tense of the phrasal verb 'to go shopping' It is identifiable by the lack of auxiliary verbs and the fact that it talks about a routine or habit.

When is Present Simple Used?

 

1. Facts – “The sun sets in the west.”
2. Habits or routines- “I brush my teeth after every meal”
3. Newspaper headlines- “Cold War Ends!”
4. Directions- “Turn right after you cross the railroad”
5. Stories that are told in the present- “Suddenly the lights go out and someone screams!” 

Have you got questions about this topic? Feel free to leave a comment with your questions and I'll answer as soon as I am able.