  Sentence and Paragraph Writing

Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is use to talk about facts, habits, or actions that happen all the time.

Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface. I

exercise every morning before I go to work.

When using the simple present, the subject-verb agreement rule must be observed. If the subject of the sentence is
third person singular (pronouns he, she it, or singular nouns), add an ‘s’ to the end of the verb for form the verb-
subject agreement.

She takes a walk after class every day. My

dog likes to swim.

If the subject is first or second person singular or third person plural DO NOT add an ‘s’.

I always take a walk after class.

You look lovely today.
Most cats do not like to swim.

Sentence Structures: Spelling Changes

Simple present verbs require an –s added to the end to change their spelling to third person singular form.

I walk to school every morning. She

walks to school every morning

Verbs that end in with -ss, -z, -ch, -sh, and –x require an –es added to the end to change their spelling
to third person singular form.

I box everyday for exercise.

He boxes everyday for exercise.

Verbs that end in with a consonant + y require that you change the y to i and add –es to change their spelling to
third person singular form. { y + -ies }

I try to get good grades.

She tries to get good grades.

Verbs that end in with a vowel + y require that you add –s to change their spelling to third person
singular form. { y + s }

You buy only the best clothes.

She buys only the best clothes

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

Exercise 9.1
Change the verbs in parenthesis to ensure subject verb agreement. Also include the correct be verb and correct any
errors in capitalization.

I have two sisters in my family. My oldest sister (live) in new york and she (be) teacher. She
(be) married and her and husband (live) in a deluxe apartment on fifth avenue. My sister (like) to go to
the opera, but bill, her husband, (hate) to. theater. sarah, my youngest sister, (attend) a university in
california. She (be) single and (say) she will never marry. She (like) shopping, surfing and partying,
but she (do) not (like) studying.

Exercise 9.2
Change the subject in the sentences below to third person singular. Use a person you know as the subject of
the sentence. Rewrite the sentences below. Be sure to use correct the capitalization and punctuation.

1. you exercise every day

2. i major in industrial design

3. you enjoy going singing on the weekends

4. i teach a class at a language institute

5. you watch TV all night every night

6. i never finish my homework before class

Exercise 9.3
Now write three similar sentences (on a separate sheet of paper) using your own words.

Exercise 9.4
Using the information below, write a short paragraph (on a separate sheet of paper) about the duties that people in
these occupations perform. Be sure to use simple present verbs and that the subject and verb agree.

Look at the example on the following page.

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

Teacher

Works in a classroom Teachers Students

Complete lesson plans Assigns homework Give
ad grade tests

Teachers work in a classroom teaching a large number of students. Before the lessons, they complete
lessons plans. They give students homework assignments and grade them. Every couple of weeks
they give students tests to assess their knowledge.

Nurse

work in a clinic
take patient’s temperature
treat patients
wear a white uniform

Fireman

work at a fire station

put out fires
provide emergency services
give classes on fire safety

Detective

works at police station investigates

crime scene interrogates and arrests
criminals appear in court

Lawyer

works in office
talks to clients
defends clients in court
questions witnesses in court
makes a lot of money

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

Using (Be) going

The phrase (be) going can sometimes be used by itself, sometimes to is added (be going to) and sometimes
to the (be going to the) is added. Study the following uses of be going.

Be going is used by itself when the noun following it is a non-count noun or if the word
following it is a preposition.

Be going to is used when the noun following it is a proper noun or the limited number of count nouns
that, by common usage, do not require the definite article (see list below).

Be going to the is used when the noun following it is a specific location or the name of a location which requires
the definite article in its title.

be going be going to be going to the

uptown church kitchen
north school/college bank
downstairs bed bus stop
over work department store
inside Sears Department Store (train) depot
there France clinic
home Africa museum
in 333 Grand Street dentist
out Pinal Avenue Fiji Islands

Exercise 9.5
Write where questions and answers using the words in parenthesis and either going, going to, or going to the. Be
sure to write complete sentences and use the present continuous tense.

Example: you, upstairs

Q: Where are you going? A: I'm going upstairs.

1. your mother, library

Q:
A:

2. Eun Ja and Chun Ho, work

Q:
A:

3. you, going, pharmacy

Q:
A:

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

4. fire truck, 745 Olive Drive

Q:
A:

5. your sister, work

Q:
A:

6. grandma, downtown
Q:
A:

7. taxi, City Hall

Q:
A:

8. Pamela, airport
Q:
A:

9. her friends, bank

Q:
A:

Exercise 9.6
Read the passage below and decide if going, going to, or going to the should be used in the blank spaces. If going is
used leave the space blank.

It’s a very busy day for the residents of the Hillside retirement home. Many of them are leaving the
home for short excursions. Mr. Williams is going corner convenience
store to buy a magazine. Mr. and Mrs. Dupree are going downtown to do some
shopping. The Lim’s are going Phoenix to visit their grandchildren. Miss Song is
going park for her morning constitutional. Mr. Franklin and Mr. Lee are going to
Denny’s for breakfast. Mrs. Park is just going outside to the back yard
for some sun. Mrs. Elliot is going dentist because she has a toothache.

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

Exercise 9.7
Rewrite the paragraph on the following page on a separate sheet of paper, changing Allison and her husband to
Allison and write the correct form of the verb so that it has subject-verb agreement.

Allison and her husband Patrick really enjoy grocery shopping. They look forward to it all
week. Before they actually go, they have to prepare. First, they sit down and decide on a menu for
the week. After that, they list all the items and ingredients they will need to cook the food on the
menu. Once the list is completed, Allison and Patrick do a thorough search
of their cupboards and make another list of the things they do not have. Then they do another search for
the non-food items that they need: like toothpaste, soap, and furniture polish. With the shopping list in
hand, they head out to the local supermarket. Their method of shopping is also planned and organized.
They always go down the canned and dry goods aisles first. After that, they go to the meat and vegetable
sections. Finally, they load up the shopping cart with all the frozen food items. When they have
everything on the list they go directly to the shortest checkout line, unload the cart, pay for it, and drive
back home as quickly as possible, especially in the summer. They hurry because they hate it when the
frozen food begins to thaw before they can get it in the freezer, especially the ice cream. Allison and
Patrick really like to grocery shop, but they enjoy eating even more.

Using Count and Non-count Nouns

Count nouns are things that can be counted, such as books, trains, and elephants.

Non-count nouns are things that can’t be counted (such as water, gold, or salt) or are things that name qualities or
abstract ideas (courage, peace, or information).

Spelling changes are required to make count nouns plural (add an -s or –es). Non-count nouns do not have a plural
form, they are always written in the singular.

Look at some of these common non-count nouns.

Concrete Items Abstraction Concepts

silver luggage ham assistance luck
cola furniture pollution data peace
water clothing pepper beauty happiness
air jewelry machinery thirst love
paper money traffic intelligence bravery
wood mail lettuce
grease rubbish

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9 Writing in the Simple Present Tense

Exercise 9.8
In the paragraph below, decide whether the noun is a count or non-count noun. Add the correct plural end- ing to the
count nouns, but leave the non-count nouns as they are. Some of the words may require spell- ing changes.

Going on a camping and fishing trip requires a lot of preparation. After deciding where you
are going, you need to decide what to take. Here are some suggestions. In terms of camping
equipment, you will need a tent, sleeping bag for all camper , a couple of
flashlight or lanterns , a grill to cook on over a fire or a camp stove, a couple of
box of match , and a portable toilet. The fishing equipment should include at least two or
three fishing pole (just in case), fishing tackle , and several different kind of bait
. Of course, cooking utensil are a must. Include in your supply several pot and pan
of various size , a couple set of knife , spoon , and fork , two or
three glass or cup . Make sure you have appropriate attire. For those cool night , you need
some long pant , and a couple of sweater or sweat shirt . Short and
tee-shirt will be needed for the warm day . And don’t forget several pair of sock
and underwear . In case it rains, make sure you have food that doesn’t require cooking. You might
consider several can of tuna , two or more loaf of bread , a couple of
box of cracker , peanut butter and jelly, several kind of fruit , and of course
marshmallow . Personal hygiene supply must include a toothbrush, a couple of bar
of soap , some wash cloth and towel , and the all important five or six
roll of toilet paper .

Exercise 9.9
Using the non-count nouns below, write your own sentences. First, write two short simple sentences using the same
word twice. Then write another sentences combining the two sentences into one that is more interesting. Write your
sentences on a separate sheet of paper.

Example: Candy is my favorite food.

I buy candy every day at the store.
I buy candy every day at the store because it is my favorite food.

Silver Grease Rubbish

Smog Golf Hatred

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 10 Writing in the Present Progressive Tense

The present progressive tense is used to write or talk about things that are happening as one speaks. The present
progressive tense is formed by using forms of be (is, am, are) + verb + -ing ending.

What are you doing? I’m reading a book.

What are your brothers doing? They are fixing the car.
What is the professor doing? He’s giving a lecture on dinosaurs.
What is Joanne doing this semester? She is studying in Europe.

Spelling Rules
When using the –ing form of the word, spelling changes may be required. Follow the spelling change rules below.

A) For words ending in a single -e drop the -e and add -ing. bake

à baking smile à smiling

B) Words that and in –ee do not follow this rule.

decree à decreeing agreeà agreeing

C) For one syllable words, when the word ends in a vowel and consonant, (except h, w, x, y) double the final
consonant and then add -ing.

bat à batting run à running

D) When the word ends in two vowels and a consonant, do not double the final consonant before adding
the -ing.

meet à meeting bleat à bleating

E) For two syllables words that end in a single vowel and a consonant: When the first syllable is
stressed, do not double the final consonant.

(CA • ter) à catering (BIC • ker) à bickering

F) For two syllable words, when the second syllable is stressed, double the final consonant and add -ing.
(except for words ending in h, w, x, y).

(re • FER) à referring (re • FIT) à refitting

G) For the few words that end in -ie, drop the -ie and change to -y and then add -ing. tie à

tying vie à vying

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 10 Writing in the Present Progressive Tense

Exercise 10.1
Look at the picture above and answer the questions that follow. Remember, to use complete sentences in your
answers and that when describing pictures the present continuous should be used.

1. What are the people eating?

2. What do you think the people on the bench are doing?

3. What is the man wearing?

4. What is the woman sitting between the two kids holding?

5. What are the man and woman on the right looking at?

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  Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Chapter 10 Writing in the Present Progressive Tense

Exercise 10.2
Look at the picture below and write present progressive sentences on a separate sheet of paper to describe
what is happening in it.

Exercise 10.3
What are the members of your family doing right now? If you are not sure use your imagination and make
something up. Include in your paragraph what they are doing, where they are, and whom they are with. Remember
that the present continuous tense is used when describing actions as one speaks or writes.
Write the paragraph on a separate sheet of paper.

Exercise 10.4
Look at the picture below and write a paragraph (on a separate sheet of paper) about it. Use the present continuous
to describe the action depicted in the picture and use prepositions of location to tell where things and people are in
the picture. Try to write fairly long sentences, joining simple sentences together to make the passage more
interesting to read