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Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) - Grammarly
Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) - Grammarly
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Simple Present
The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present
tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or
unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the
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person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or
BASICS
‑es to the end.
Example I feel great! Pauline loves pie. I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.
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Example Pauline practices the piano every day. Ms. Jackson travels during the summer.
Hamsters run all night.
In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-
person singular (which ends in -s).
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For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with -es instead of -s. Typically, these
are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.
First-person singular: I go
First-person plural: We go
For most regular verbs, you put the negation of the verb before the verb, e.g. “She
won’t go” or “I don’t smell anything.”
First-person singular: I am
The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root form
of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not or does
not.
Example Pauline does not want to share the pie. She doesn’t think there is enough to go
around. Her friends do not agree. I don’t want pie anyway.
Example I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is. You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.
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The formula for asking a question in the simple present is do/does + [subject] + [root
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form of verb].
Example Do you know how to bake a pie? How much does Pauline love pie?
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