Simple Present Tense - Definition & Example
The simple present describes habits, general truths, repeated actions, and permanent situations - what usually happens or is always true.
Formed with the base form of the verb. For he/she/it, add -s or -es (e.g. works, watches).
→ She works in a bank. / They play football every weekend. / Water boils at 100°C.
How to Form the Simple Present Tense?
To form the simple present, you either use the base form of the verb. For he/she/it, add an -s or -es.
Examples (base form):
I go to church every Sunday.
They live near the coast of Okinawa.
You still owe me money, Richard.
Examples (he/she/it):
- work → works
He works at a bank. - study → studies
She studies English at university. - go → goes
He goes cycling every morning.
When to Use the Simple Present?
You can use the simple present in many situations:
1. Habits and Routines
Use the simple present for habits or daily routines.
Examples:
- He drinks coffee every morning.
- They go jogging on Sundays.
2. General Truths and Facts
Use it for things that are generally true or scientific facts.
Examples:
- The Earth orbits the sun.
- Water boils at 100°C.
3. Permanent or Long-Term Situations
Use it for permanent jobs, locations, or states.
Examples:
- She lives in Japan.
- He works as an engineer.
4. Timetables and Schedules
Use it to describe fixed future events (especially transport or timetables).
Examples:
- The train leaves at 7 a.m.
- My class starts at 9:30.
5. Instructions or Directions
Use it in manuals or directions.
Examples:
- You open the file and click "Save."
- Turn left, then go straight ahead.
Simple Present Overview
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + base verb | I work late. |
| Affirmative (he/she/it) | Subject + verb + s | She works late. |
| Negative | Subject + do not + base verb | I do not work late. |
| Negative (he/she/it) | Subject + does not + base verb | She does not work late. |
| Question | Do + subject + base verb? | Do you work late? |
| Question (he/she/it) | Does + subject + base verb? | Does she work late? |
The Verb "To Be" in the Simple Present
Subject | Form |
| I | am |
| You / We / They | are |
| He / She / It | is |
Formations and use
Negative: Use don't or doesn't + base verb. Note: after doesn't, the verb stays in base form (no -s). → I don't like coffee. / He doesn't play tennis.
Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb? → Do you work on weekends? / Does she like jazz?
When NOT to Use the Simple Present
Actions happening right now → use Present Continuous instead.
~~I eat dinner right now.~~ → ✓ I am eating dinner right now.
Temporary situations → use Present Continuous instead.
~~She lives with her friend this month.~~ → ✓ She is living with her friend this month.
Signal Words: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day/week/month/year, on Mondays, on weekends, in the morning, at night.
Simple Present Spelling Rules
1. Verbs Ending in -y After a Consonant
Change -y to -ies.
- study → studies
She studies every night. - carry → carries
He carries his bag to school.
2. Verbs Ending in -y After a Vowel (a/e/i/o/u)
Keep y and add -s.
- play → plays
He plays the guitar. - enjoy → enjoys
She enjoys sushi
3. Verbs Ending in -o, -s, -sh, -ch, or -x
Add -es instead of -s.
- go → goes
She goes to Tokyo by train. - watch → watches
He watches Japanese dramas. - fix → fixes
My father fixes cars.
Find out more
simple present tense is a tense used to describe habits, routines, general truths, and permanent situations. It shows what happens regularly or what is always true.
- I wake up at 6 a.m.
- She works in a hospital.
- They play football on Sundays.
- He drinks coffee every morning.
- We live in a small town.
- The sun rises in the east.
- She studies English after school.
- My father drives to work.
- Water boils at 100°C.
- The shop opens at 9 a.m.
The present simple is formed with the base form of the verb. For he, she, and it, it is formed with the verb + -s/-es.
Simple Present vs. Present Progressive
Simple Present describes habits, routines, general truths, and fixed facts. → She always brushes her teeth before bed. / The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Present Continuous describes actions happening right now, temporary situations, or future arrangements. → He is studying at the moment. / She is flying to Paris tomorrow.
Formation Simple Present uses the base verb (I work), while Present Continuous uses am/is/are + verb-ing (I am working). Negatives add not after the auxiliary, and questions reverse the subject and auxiliary.
Signal Words Simple Present: always, never, usually, often, sometimes, every day/week. Present Continuous: now, at the moment, currently, tonight, this week, tomorrow.
Key Rule: Simple Present = what is generally true. Present Continuous = what is happening right now or temporarily.