The simple present tense is an English verb tense used to describe facts and habits, to describe scheduled events in the future, and to tell stories. Here are two easy examples of each usage:
(1) Simple present tense to describe facts and habits.
(2) Simple present tense to describe scheduled events in the future.
(3) Simple present tense to tell stories (particularly jokes).
Table of Contents
(1) To describe facts and habits:
This type of sentence, especially if it's describing a habit, will usually include a time expression like "always," "every year," "never," "often," "on Mondays," "rarely," "sometimes," or "usually."
(2) To describe scheduled events in the future
(3) To tell stories (particularly jokes) to make your listener or reader feel more engaged with the story.
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Let's look at the verb to run (whose base form is run). In the simple present tense, run looks like this:
| Person | Example |
|---|---|
| First person singular | I run |
| Second person singular | You run |
| Third person singular | He/She/It runs |
| First person plural | We run |
| Second person plural | You run |
| Third person plural | They run |
In other words, it only changes in the third person singular (he / she / it). It adds either s, es or ies.
To create a negative sentence, use "do not" + [base form of the verb]. (Use "does not" with third person singular (he / she / it).)
"do not" or "does not" [base form of the verb]