Present Simple Tense  

The present simple tense (also called the simple present tense) is used when we speak about habits, general facts, and timetables. However, just because something is true does not necessarily mean it takes the present simple tense, nor does something have to be occurring in the present moment in time for it to be in the present simple tense.

It is called the present “simple” because its basic form consists of one word only—that is, it does not require an auxiliary verb to achieve its meaning.

Most verbs in the present simple tense are in the same form as the infinitive verb. However, if it is in the third-person singular form, then it usually takes the ending -(e)s.

For example:

Now let’s see how the form and meaning of the verbs change if we add the auxiliary verb “be:”

These are examples of the present continuous tense. As you can see, their meaning is altered in comparison to those in the present simple tense. (To learn more about this tense, please refer to the chapter section on Present Continuous Tense.)

Present simple can also be used for future events that are fixed to happen, such as in timetables. For example:

This is a fixed timetable where the present simple is used to indicate a future event. We can also say: “We leave for Berlin tomorrow at 7 PM,” as the speaker sees this as a fixed event similar to a timetable.

Normally we use stative verbs (also called state verbs) to express a fact. Here are some examples of common stative verbs:

Of course, some action verbs (also called dynamic verbs) used for habits can also be seen as a state or general truth. For example:

However, verbs with a stative meaning cannot be used to indicate habit. For example:

Some stative verbs can also function as action verbs in different contexts:

We also use the present simple with the zero conditional, which means something is always true. For example:

Present simple can be used in a variety of sentence formations, such as positive, negative, interrogative, and negative interrogative. We’ll briefly explain each and provide examples with the present simple tense.

Simply put, positive sentences indicate what is the case, as opposed to what is not. In the present simple tense, they look like this:

The opposite of a positive sentence, a negative sentence describes what is not (or no longer) the case. We form these by adding the auxiliary verb do (or does in the third-person singular) and the word not after the subject of the sentence. These can also be contracted to don’t or doesn’t. For example:

Interrogative sentences ask a question. They are marked by the question mark punctuation (“?”) at the end instead of a period. Simple interrogative questions also use the auxiliary verb do (or does in the third-person singular), but before the subject instead of after. Generally speaking, it is uncommon to use a first-person subject in an interrogative sentence in the present simple.

Negative interrogative sentences also ask a question, but they imply that the speaker expects the answer to be (or believes the answer should be) “yes.” We form these by adding the auxiliary verb do/does before the subject of the sentence and the word not after the subject. Again, these can be contracted to don’t or doesn’t; if they are, the contraction comes before the subject:

Unlike the interrogative sentences, negative interrogative sentences are much more likely to be used in the first-person, with do and not typically contracted:

(For more information about different types of sentences, go to the chapter about Sentences in the part of the guide on Syntax.)