Present Simple Tense

ByMirza Mohammad Aun Shah Temuri.

FORMULA:• SUBJECT + (present tense) [with or without s/es] +

OBJECT + ADVERBIAL.VERBS WITHOUT S/ES

All first persons (I, We)

All second persons (You)

All third person plural (They)

VERBS WITH S/ES

All third person singular (He, She, It)

Names (e.g George, Abbas)

USES

• There are nine Uses of Present Indefinite/Simple tense. Each are explained with examples in details in the following slides.

(1) To express a habitual action.

• He drinks tea every morning.• I get up every day at five o'clock.• My watch keeps good time.• I take a tea after lunch.• We catch fish on holidays.• She washed her clothes in the morning.

(2) To express general truths.

• The sun rises in the east.• Honey is sweet.• Fortune favors the brave.• The stars shine in the sky.• Water flows downstream.• God helps those who help themselves.

(3) In exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there to express what is actually taking place in the present.• Here comes the bus !• There she goes !

(4) In vivid narrative, as substitute for the Simple Past

• Soharab now rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to Rustam.

• Immediately the Sultan hurries to his capital.• Mahmud of Ghazni attacks India.• Allama Iqbal dreams of Pakistan.• Hazrat Ibrahim jumps into the fire.

(5) To express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable or fixed programme.

• The next flight is at 7,00 tomorrow morning.• The match starts at 9 o'clock.• The train leaves at 5:20.• When does the coffee house reopen?

(6) It is used to introduce quotations.

• Keats says, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’.• The Holy Prophet (PBUH) says, “You do not do evil who do

evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness.”

(7) It is used, instead of the Simple Future Tense, in clauses of time and of condition.

• I shall wait till yon finish your lunch.• If it rains we shall get wet.

(8) As in broadcast commentaries on sporting events, the Simple Present is used, instead of the Present Continuous, to describe activities in progress where there is stress on the succession of happenings rather than on the duration.

• And Eastwood passes the ball to Andrews.• And Miller takes the lead in the first lap.

(9) The Simple Present is used, instead of the Present Continuous.

• I work in an international company. ( shows that my job is permanent)

• I am working in an international company. ( shows that I may be am on contract basis)

Negative sentences.

• If the sentence uses verb without s/es, then add “do not” before that verb.

• E.g.We eat mangoes.We do not eat

mangoes.

• If the sentence uses verb with s/es, then make the verb singular and then add “do not” before that verb.

• E.g.He eats mangoes.He does not eat

mangoes.

Interrogative Sentences.

• If the sentence uses verb without s/es, then add “do” before the Subject.

• E.gDo you eat meat?

• If the sentence uses verb with s/es, then add “does” before the Subject.

• E.g• Does he go to college?