What does present simple mean? Times of the group Simple (Indefinite). Formation of the past tense form

If you have just started learning English on your own, then present time Simple is the first thing you should learn. This tense is basic in the English language; students of all ages become familiar with it first. Present Simple at first glance seems very simple, but, nevertheless, it cannot be done without errors.

When studying any tense, there are two things to remember: how tense is formed and when it is used.

Let's start with the first: the formation of Present Simple forms. Let's look at the table on how to form statement:

As you can see, there are two options for the predicate: V1(first form of the verb: verb (Verb) without a particle (to) or verb ending in S or ES.

When we need to say a statement about I, you, we, they (I, you / you, we, they), we use a regular verb without any endings.

If we are talking about he, she, it (he, she, it), then the ending S or ES must be added to the verb. This is very reminiscent of the Russian language: I work, and He/she/it works. If you suddenly forgot to add the ending S, then you will end up with something like: He/she/it is working. Easy to understand, but makes you smile.

How to add s/es ending? Let's look at the basic rules with examples.

1.	Work-works	If the verb ends in a consonant, then simply add the ending S.	help - helps look - looks want - wants
2.	Like-likes	If the verb ends in a silent E, which is written but not pronounced, then add S.	live - lives lie - lies move - moves
3.	Play - plays	If there is a Y at the end of the verb and a vowel before it, then we simply add S and do not change anything.	stay - stays say - says obey - obeys
4.	Study - studies	If a verb ends in Y and is preceded by a consonant, then Y changes to I and the ending ES is added.	copy - copies marry - marries try - tries
5.	Wash-washes	If the verb ends in SS, CH, SH, which convey hissing sounds, or the letter X, then add ES.	watch - watches dress - dresses finish - finishes
6.	Exceptions	There are three verbs - exceptions.	go - goes do - does have - has

It is also important to pronounce the endings correctly; for this we will follow the rules of pronunciation:

The form with the ending S/ES for the third person singular (he, she, it) can only be found in a statement in the Present Simple, because in negation and question auxiliary verbs appear that “take over” the ending. Consider the form denial:

Only in informational questions to the subject (Who?) the Vs/es form is used:

The second important aspect is the use of time. When using this or that time, you must clearly understand why you are using this particular time and not another.

The first and most important thing about Present Simple time is that it denotes a constant action, habit, repeated action. Let's consider all cases of use.

1. Habitual actions and daily routine

Present Simple is always practiced on topics, My Day Off and others related to the daily routine and the actions that you always perform.

It is important that with the Present Simple they often use time indicators -, which indicate how often the habitual action will be repeated:

• always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, rarely, never;
• in the morning/ afternoon/ evening;
• every day/ week/ month/ year

Become a student at our online school and sign up for a free introductory lesson. And subscribe to our communities at

This is a series of 3 articles that will help you understand basic English tenses, their conjugation and learn how to construct your own phrases automatically.

The present tense is used all the time in English, so it is important to properly understand its logic. Knowing the rules of education simple sentences, it will be easier to master the rest of the English tense system.

How to build a phrase in Present Simple

First, let's talk about action verbs, which answer the questions “what to do?”, “What are you doing” (we will discuss state verbs separately).

• Statement: the form of the verb does not change, except for the 3rd person, singular. numbers. In this case, the ending is added to the verb -s.

Let's look at an example with the verb sing - to sing.

I sing. - I sing.
You sing. - You eat.
We sing. - We'll eat.
They sing. - They are singing.
He sing s. - He sings.
She sing s. - She sings.

• Negation: in this case, we put don’t (full form - do not) or doesn’t for the 3rd person singular before the action verb. numbers (full form does not). We no longer add any endings to the verb itself!

I don't sing. - I don't sing.
You don't sing. - You don't eat.
We don't sing. - We don't eat.
They don't sing. - They don't sing.
He doesn't sing. - He doesn't sing.
She doesn't sing. - She doesn't sing.

• Questions are asked simply: put the auxiliary verb do or does at the beginning of the sentence.

Do I sing? - Am I singing?
Do do you sing? -Are you eating?
Do we sing? - Are we eating?
Do do they sing? -Are they singing?
Does he sing? - Does he sing?
Does she sing? - Does she sing?

These questions can be answered “yes” or “no” according to the principle: “Yes, I do” or “No, I don’t”. Change pronouns if necessary and try not to confuse do/does.))

If the question is clarifying, then a question word will be needed. We put it at the very beginning before the auxiliary verb do or does.

Why do I sing? - Why am I singing?
What do you sing? - What are you eating?
When do we sing? - When do we eat?
How do they sing? - How do they sing?
Where does he sing? -Where does he sing?
Which song does she sing? -What song is she singing?

Verb To Be

Requires separate consideration English verb to be - to be, to be, to appear.

After all, we don’t always talk about doing some kind of action. Sometimes we talk about where we are (“I’m in Paris now,” “John is at work”), who we work (“I’m a doctor,” “my brother is a student”) and so on. Literally: “I am now in Paris”, “I am a doctor”).

The action verb is not needed here, so the state verb to be, which has its own forms, helps out. You just need to remember them.

• Affirmative sentences:

I am a singer - I am a singer.
He/she is a doctor. - He/she is a doctor.
We/you/they are friends. - We/you/they are friends.

• In denial add the particle not to the verb to be:

I am not - I 'm not
He is not - He isn't
We are not - We aren't

Please note that abbreviated forms are used in everyday speech. Full form I am writing for you so that you know where and what is formed.

• Question begins with the correct form of the verbs to be:

Am Am I right? - Am I right?
Is he your brother? - Is he your brother?
Are are you cold? -Are you cold?

When to use the Present Simple

1. to express facts that are always true:

The sun rises in the east. - The sun rises in the east.
It rains in autumn. - It rains in autumn.

1. to describe habits and regular actions (hint words: twice a month - twice a month, every Tuesday - every Tuesday, often - often, sometimes - sometimes, always - always, rarely - rarely)

How often do they study Chinese? - How often do they study Chinese?
Where does she live? -Where does she live?
What is your job? - What do you do for a living? (literally "What's your job?")

1. in the future when we're talking about about the official schedule (lessons, meetings, arrival/departure times of trains and planes, schedules of films in cinemas or performances in the theater, and so on)

Lessons begin at nine tomorrow. - Lessons start tomorrow at 9.
Our train arrives at twelve. - Our train arrives at 12.
What time does the film start? - What time does the movie start?

1. in the future after the words if - if, when - when, until - until, as soon as - as soon as, after - after, before - before

I will tell you when I know. - I'll tell you when I find out.
She"ll call as soon as her sister arrives. - She will call as soon as her sister arrives.
If it rains at the weekend, we won't go to the country. - If on the weekend it's going to rain, we won't go out of town.

1. to describe the plot of a film or book

The main heroes get married at the end of the book. - The main characters get married at the end of the book.

Also use the Present Simple when speaking with state verbs:

You look marvellous. -You look great.
I think he is very smart. - I think he is very smart.
I promise I will tell you. - I promise I'll tell you.
I like this ice-cream so much! - I like this ice cream so much!

Do you like the article? Support our project and share with your friends!

Workshop to practice the tense system

Do you want to construct phrases in all tenses yourself?

You can take a 4-week Workshop 12 times. This is a program with a step-by-step analysis of them in a complex and in comparison.

I recorded the lessons as video presentations when I taught this course online, and added practical exercises and examples to each lesson. Therefore, you will master each time gradually, immediately applying theory into practice.

Unlike the Russian language, in which a verb has only ONE present tense, in English There are FOUR of them:

1. Present simple tense - The Present Simple Tense (this will be discussed in this article)
   
2. Present continuous tense -
3. Present perfect tense -
4. Present perfect continuous tense - (beyond basic level)

The Present Simple Tense, The Present Continuous Tense, The Present Perfect Tense refer to basic level. And today you will find out basic present rules Simple Tense, namely:

The Present Simple Tense (rules for beginners)

1. When should you use the simple present tense of a verb in a sentence?

We'll start our conversation about times from the simple present tense (The Present Simple Tense), which sometimes does not seem simple, but is so in essence, since you can use it in any sentence that refers to the present tense, that is, a verb that answers a question what does the item do?

The only exception to this case are situations in which D.L. commits D. V at the moment time, but then the sentence contains the words: now, at this moment, Listen! Look. In this case, you need to use

Rule 1. If the action in a sentence occurs in the present tense NOT at the moment, then you can safely use the simple present tense of the verb - The Present Simple Tense.

2. What tense expressions indicate the simple present tense?

Formally Present Simple Tense used in a sentence if it contains temporary expressions (hints): every day (week, month, year), once a week (day, month, year), on Saturdays (Sundays, ...), always - never, often - rarely, usually - sometimes

• I go to work every day.
• We go to the park once a week.
• He usually comes home late.

Translation of these expressions:

• every day - every day (week, month, year)
• once a week - once a week (day, month, year)
• on Saturdays - on Saturdays (Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.)
• always - always
• never - never
• often - often
• rarely - rarely
• usually - usually
• sometimes - sometimes

or other words. Also a clue is CONTEXT (but this is no longer the basic level).

Rule 2. If the sentence contains tense expressions always - never, often - rarely, usually - sometimes etc. and the action takes place in the present tense, then you can safely use the simple present tense of the verb - The Present Simple Tense.

3. What form is the verb in the simple present tense?

Rule 3. The verb in the simple present tense is in first form. This is the basic form of the verb and you will find it in the dictionary. Sometimes it is called - verb infinitive without the particle to. Further we will designate this form as D. (action).

4. How to make a sentence in Present Simple Tense?

Rule 4. Below are three sentence patterns in the Present Simple. Use the diagrams.

(from the book “English Grammar: Simply About Complex Things”)

Note that the auxiliary verb DOES appears in negative and interrogative sentences only in the 3rd person singular. number. CM. Rule 5 (below).

5. When should you add the ending -S to a verb in the present simple tense?

Rule 5. The ending -S is added to an action verb in an affirmative sentence, when D.L. (the subject of the sentence) is in the third person singular, that is, it is a pronoun he, she, it or it can be replaced by a pronoun he, she, it.

Hereads every day. — The boy reads every day.

She cooks three times a day. — Mother cooks three times a day(three times a day).

Present Indefinite (Simple) is called the present indefinite tense because it is used to express an action or state in the present tense, while the time of this action or state is precisely indefinite (it is not indicated what its duration or completion is). This action is also called ordinary, permanent.

For example:

I like sports men – I like athletic men (in general I like this type of man)

Do you like to watch comedy shows? – Do you like watching comedy shows? (I generally like comedies as a genre)

How is the present simple formed?

Affirmative form

So, the verb in the Present Simple form is this is a verb in the first form i.e. initial without particle to. (infinitive is the basic (dictionary) form of the verb, preceded by the particle to). You can find this form in the dictionary; it is usually called the first form of the verb.

For example, the verb to go (to walk) in the Present Simple:

I go to rehearsal every Saturday – I go to rehearsals every Saturday.

However, in the third person singular (he, she, it) the verb takes the ending -s or –es. The indicated ending is pronounced as [z] - after vowels and voiced consonants, as [s] - after voiceless consonants, as - at the end of verbs that end in whistling and hissing sounds.

The chef always tastes the food before he serves it – The chef always tastes the food before serving it (to the customers)

She washes dishes in a restaurant – she washes dishes in a restaurant

He works in a bank – He works in a bank

Interrogative sentences in the Present simple

It's pretty easy to ask a question! You need to use the auxiliary verb - do before the subject, and then the infinitive of the semantic verb will come.

Do you like football? – Do you like football?

In the 3rd person singular (he, she, it) we use - does (since we add the ending –s not to the semantic verb, as it was in the affirmative sentence, but to the auxiliary).

Remember, the auxiliary verb is not translated in any way and does not carry any meaning:

Do you help your mother? – are you helping your mother?

Does she go to school? – Does she go to school?

Negative sentences in the Present simple

To form a negative sentence, we also need to use the auxiliary verb -do (-does) and the negative particle –not. This particle -not is located before the semantic verb:

I don't like your manners? – I don't like your manners

Our company does not use non-natural products – our company does not use unnatural products

Using Present Simple (Present Indefinite)

Present indefinite rules:

1) A periodically repeated action or habitual action that is characteristic of a person.

This action occurs in general, but not at the moment of speech. The action can be your habit or hobby, a daily event.

I go to gym everyday after work – I go to gym every day after work.

They send letters to the President everyday – they send letters to the president every day

I see Ann every Tuesday – I see Ann every Tuesday

2) Facts or generalizations

Can express the idea of ​​what is known and objective to us in in a general sense(facts). If the speaker believes something was true, is true and will be true. At the same time, it doesn’t matter whether the speaker is right about the fact, the main thing is that he thinks so. You can also use this tense to express some generalizations about people or objects.

All cats like milk – all cats love milk

She do her work very well - she does her job very well

Nobody knows everything – no one can know everything

3) Using present indefinite you can express an action in the future, if we mean a previously planned action. Used when talking about planned events in the near future. This is most often done when it comes to public transport, but also given time can be used with other scheduled events. Here are some verbs that are quite often used in this meaning - to leave, to start, to sail, to go, to come, to return

The bus leaves at 13 tomorrow – The bus leaves at ten

Ann and I begin our work at ten o’clock tomorrow – Ann and I start our work at ten o'clock tomorrow

4) This time is also used to express an action that is performed at the moment of speech (instead of the Present Continuous) with verbs that are not used in the tenses of the Continuous group (Non-Continuous Verbs). In Present Simple usage

Do you understand how it works? – Do you understand how it works

I want to buy this coat – I want to buy this coat

5) To express future action (instead of Future Indefinite) in subordinate clauses conditions and time. These sentences are introduced by conjunctions as long as, before, unless, if, when, until, till

In the Present Simple, using some marker words will help you determine this tense. Here are some of these words:

• everyday/week/month/year
• twice a week/month/year
• often
• rarely

These are the most basic cases use of present simple. Now you know when to use the present simple and can practice using this tense.

The Present Simple (Indefinite) Tense(simple present tense)– a tense form of a verb that is used to express ordinary, regularly repeated actions. The simple present tense is characterized by the presence of the following marker words:

• usually (usually);
• sometimes (sometimes);
• often (often);
• always (always);
• never (never);
• rarely/rarely (rarely);
• regularly (regularly);
• from time to time (at times);
• once in a while (sometimes);
• hardly ever (almost never);
• every day/week/month/year/morning/evening(every day/week/month/year/morning/evening).

Examples of sentences in the simple present tense using marker words:

• I always get up at six o’clock in the morning.– I always get up at 6 o’clock in the morning.
• My brother often listens to music.– My brother often listens to music.
• The Earth rotates around the Sun.– The Earth rotates around the Sun (constantly).

I think you noticed that in the 2nd and 3rd sentences the suffix –s (listens, rotates) is used at the end of the verbs. This suffix is ​​an indicator of the 3rd person singular verb of the simple present tense.

As for the negative form of verbs in the simple present tense, it is formed using the auxiliary verb do (does 3rd letter, singular) and the negation not, which are placed before the semantic verb in the form of an infinitive without the particle to, while not is pronounced with emphasis. For example:

• I don't play hockey. – I don’t play hockey.
• My sister does not like to read books.– My sister doesn’t like to read books.

In oral and written speech, the abbreviated form of do not – don’t and does not – doesn’t is very often used. For example:

• I don’t go for shopping every day.– I don’t go shopping every day.
• My friend doesn't speak English.– My friend doesn’t speak English.

The interrogative form of verbs in the simple present tense is formed using the auxiliary verb do (does), which is placed before the subject. The subject is followed by a semantic verb in the form of an infinitive without the particle to. At the same time, on the last stressed syllable of the sentence, the tone of voice rises:

• Do you work at school? – Do you work at a school?
• Does your grandmother live in the village?– Does your grandmother live in the village?

The person asked must answer as follows: Yes, I do or No, I don’t. If the question refers to the representative of the 3rd person singular, then the person asked should answer Yes, he/she/it does or No, he/she/it doesn’t.

Using the Present Simple

• designation of regular, repeating actions in the present tense:
  I get up at 6. - I get up at 6;
• habit designation:
  My father drinks coffee in the mornings.— My dad drinks coffee in the morning;
• in statements that are always true:
  Cats eat mice. — Cats eat mice;
• indication of timetable, especially transport or program:
  The train leaves at 5 a.m. — The train leaves at 5 am;
• expressing one’s opinion, as well as promises, oaths, etc.:
  I think it is important. I swear, it is true.- I think it's important. I swear it's true, etc.;
• when we talk about completed actions in the present tense, occurring one after another, for example, commenting on one’s actions or sports matches, etc.:
  First, I take two eggs and break them into this bowl…- First I take two eggs and break them into a bowl... Sychev passes to Arshavin, Arshavin shoots — and it’s a goal!- Sychev gives a pass to Arshavin, Arshavin shoots, and - goal!;
• when we give or ask for instructions, for example, when asking about the right route:
  How do I get to the station? — How can I get to the station?;
• in official correspondence in clichéd phrases (in less formal correspondence these phrases can be used for a long time):
  We write to advise you... - We write to advise you...;
• in water phrases such as I see, I hear, I understand, I gather. The meaning of phrases can also refer to the past tense: I hear they are getting married.- I heard they are getting married.

Summary table of time formation The Present Simple Tense

Education The Present Simple Tense in sentences

Affirmative		Negative		Interrogative
I	speak	I	don't speak	Do	I	speak
You		You			you
We		We			we
They		They			they
He	speaks	He	doesn't speak	Does	he	speak
She		She			she
It		It			it

In English simple present tense cannot be confused with other tense forms of the verb. The verbs used in this form indicate the continuity of the actions performed. So, we have discussed with you the main aspects of the first simple tense form - The Present Simple Tense. Read more about other simple time forms in future articles.