Learn English Grammar – Simple Present Tense

How do we use the simple present tense?

Knowing verb tenses is a basic part of learning any language, especially English. The verb shows the action in a sentence. The word tense comes from Middle English, and has the meaning of “time.” This was derived from tempus in Latin.

With the simple present tense, you need to be very careful about the formation of the verbs. In English, the verb changes depending on who you are talking about. All you need to remember is that he, she, and it need the “s” at the end of the verb. For example:

• I like pizza, you like pizza, we like pizza, they like pizza.
• He likes pizza, she likes pizza, it likes pizza

I can not tell you how often I hear things like, “He like pizza very much,” from even very fluent English speakers!

Here are the spelling rules for regular verbs. For most verbs, just add “s” to the base verb:

• like → likes
• come → comes
• bring → brings

For verbs that end in a consonant plus “y,” change “y” to “I” and add “es”

• study → studies
• cry → cries
• try → tries

For verbs that end in a vowel (a-e-i-o-u) plus “y,” change “y” to “I” and add “s”

• pay → pays
• enjoy → enjoys
• stay → stays

For verbs ending in “s,” “z,” “ch,” “sh,” or “x,” add “es”

• kiss → kisses
• buzz → buzzes
• teach → teaches
• fix → fixes

There are a number of exceptions, and you can find a list of these in any good grammar book. For example:

• have→ has
• am → is (the be verb)
• go → goes

We use the simple present tense in English to talk about what is generally or usually true.

• I open my school at 8:30am. I open…
• The bank opens at 9:00am. it opens…
• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• Birds fly south in the winter.

We also use the simple present tense to talk about our habits.

• I wake up at 6:15am every morning.
• My dog barks when she sees a squirrel.
• Jack plays golf on the weekend.

We also use the simple present tense to talk about permanent situations.

• The Yankees play in Yankee Stadium.
• I live in New York.
• The Empire State Building is on 34^th Street.

Keep in mind the best way to remember this or any vocabulary in English is to take the word or phrase write it in a sentence that’s true for you or true in your world and then memorize your sentences.

You can even take your sentences and write them in the comments below. I would love to see your examples. And if you really want help with vocabulary, sign up for my free vocabulary workshop (see below).

If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks for studying today!