The Simple Present
The Simple Present
The Simple Present
2019-2020
Key aspects:
We use the Simple Present with action verbs as we (1) refer to habitual actions,
(2) customs and routines or (3) facts- things that are considered to be true, (4)
permanent situations (or nearly permanent)
We use the Simple Present + time references to indicate future time.
We can also use Simple Present to talk about what happens in books, plays
and films.
We also use present simple with stative verbs (to talk about now; to describe
states i.e. like, sound, belong to, need, seem; they do not imply movement but
rather, they describe a mental state or a state-of-being)
A. Complete each sentence with the simple present form of the verb in parentheses. Circle
the reason that the simple present is used.
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First Year, Second Semester IESC
2019-2020
B. Using the pronoun and verb provided, create your own sentences.
C. FORMING NEGATIVES
Key aspects:
To make a verb negative, add the auxiliary verb do and the word not before the main
verb. Ex: do not go vs does not go (for the 3rd person, singular)
Remember that does is used with the pronouns he, she, and it. When does is used, the
main verb has no –s or –es ending.
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First Year, Second Semester IESC
2019-2020
D. FORMING CONTRACTIONS
In English, verbs are often combined with other words to form contractions, These shortened
forms include an apostrophe (‘) to indicate missing letters. It is important to learn contractions
because you will often hear them in conversation or see them in informal writing. Formal
writing, though, rarely contains contractions.
The auxiliary verb do is often combined with not to form a contraction. Notice that an
apostrophe indicates that the letter o is omitted.
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To form questions that can be answered yes or no (yes/no questions), begin the questions with
the auxiliary verb do. After the auxiliary verb, place the subject and the main verb.
Statement: They ride the bus to work. – Question: Do they ride the bus to work?
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First Year, Second Semester IESC
2019-2020
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8. You don’t believe my story. (Notice that do has already been used to indicate single negation)
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First Year, Second Semester IESC
2019-2020
F. Forming Wh-Questions
Wh-questions are used to obtain specific pieces of information. They usually begin with what,
who, why, where, when, how, or combinations such as how much, how many, and how often.
The auxiliary verb do comes after the question word and is followed by the subject and the main
verb.
Who ________________________________________________________________________?
How ________________________________________________________________________?
Why_________________________________________________________________________?
Where ______________________________________________________________________?
Who ________________________________________________________________________?