Simple Present Tense: Definition and Useful Examples

Simple present tense in English with simple present examples. Learn the definition and how to form the simple present tense in English with ESL infographics.

Contents

Simple Present Tense

Present Simple Definition

The simple present, present simple or present indefinite is one of the verb forms associated with the present tense in modern English. In Simple Present, the action is simply mentioned and there is nothing being said about its completeness. It is used to talk about an action which happens on a regular basis.

Forming the Simple Present Tense

Positive Statements | Present Simple

SUBJECT	VERB	REST OF THE SENTENCE
I	study	in Texas school.
You	study	in Texas school.
He	studies	in Texas school.
Tom	studies	in Texas school.
The boy	studies	in Texas school.
She	studies	in Texas school.
Anna	studies	in Texas school.
The girl	studies	in Texas school.
We	study	in Texas school.
You	study	in Texas school.
They	study	in Texas school.
The children	study	in Texas school.

Notice how we use ‘study’ for the subjects I, You, We, You and They and we use ‘studies’ for the subjects ‘He’ and ‘She’.

Negative Statements | Simple Present

SUBJECT	DON’T (DO NOT) / DOESN’T (DOES NOT)	VERB	REST OF THE SENTENCE
I	don’t	play	tennis.
You	don’t	play	tennis.
He	doesn’t	play	tennis.
Tom	doesn’t	play	tennis.
The boy	doesn’t	play	tennis.
She	doesn’t	play	tennis.
Anna	doesn’t	play	tennis.
The girl	doesn’t	play	tennis.
We	don’t	play	tennis.
You	don’t	play	tennis.
They	don’t	play	tennis.
The men	don’t	play	tennis.

Notice how we use ‘don’t’ for the subjects I, You, We, You and They

and we use ‘doesn’t’ for the subjects ‘He’ and ‘She’. The verb form remains the same for all subjects.

Interrogative Statements / Questions | Present Simple

DO / DOES	SUBJECT	VERB	REST OF THE SENTENCE
Do	I	sleep	in the afternoon?
Do	you	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	he	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	John	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	the boy	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	she	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	Anna	sleep	in the afternoon?
Does	the girl	sleep	in the afternoon?
Do	we	sleep	in the afternoon?
Do	you	sleep	in the afternoon?
Do	they	sleep	in the afternoon?
Do	the men	sleep	in the afternoon?