Present Simple Grammar

1. Present Simple

The Simple Present is used to make statements about the present time. It is used in the following ways.

- Permanent facts: These sentences give facts which are always true.
It is cold in winter. - The sun shines. - Fish live in water.

- Present facts: These sentences are true now.
I work at home. - She plays the piano.
"I work at home" doesn't mean I am working right now, but it does mean that in my present condition I work at home.

- Habitual actions: I get up at 8.00. - They come here every day.
These actions are repeated regularly, so they are considered a present reality and are expressed in the Simple Present.

Here is the verb "to give in the Simple Present:

Singular I give You give He gives She gives It gives

Plural We give You give They give

2. Spelling Rules for the Present Simple

If you look above you'll see the spelling doesn't change, except for the third person singular (He, She, It) which adds an "s" to the verb. For example "I eat - He eats".

Sometimes other spelling rules also apply to He, She and It. All the following verbs add "es" instead of "s":

The short forms for the negative verb "to be" are as follows:

Verb Endings Verbs ending in -o add -es Verbs ending in -s add -es Verbs ending in -x add -es Verbs ending in -ch add -es Verbs ending in -sh add -es ----- Verbs ending in a consonant and -y often change the -y to -ies: Verbs such as "buy" have no consonant before the "y", so you simply add -s as usual.

Spelling Examples do - does, go - goes pass - passes, kiss - kisses fix - fixes, mix - mixes match - matches, catch - catches push - pushes, rush - rushes try - tries, cry - cries buy - buys, pay - pays.

Click below for exercises on the Present Simple.