The Simple Present Tense Explained Directions: Click on each slide to advance to the next slide. Copyright ©Donna Barr All rights reserved by author. www.ESLAmerica.US “The English language website where everything has sound!”

Simple Present Tense The simple present tense in English can be the most difficult verb tense to understand. This PowerPoint presentation will help you to understand the ways this tense is used.

The simple present tense is used… To give opinions To talk about schedules To talk about routines To give facts

Before we start, let’s review singular and plural subject pronouns Person Singular Plural First Person (speaker) I walk we walk Second Person (spoken to) you walk Third Person (spoken about) he walks he doesn’t walk* they walk she walks she doesn’t walk* it walks it doesn’t walk* *Note: When using “does” and “doesn’t” with 3rd person singular, do not add an ‘s” to the end of the verb.

To give an opinion I like vegetables. You hate lying. She is boring. (Note: People can be boring or bored; things can be boring.) He doesn’t like roses.* Traffic is terrible in the morning. (Note: Traffic is a singular, non-count noun.) We prefer movies. Movies are boring. (Note: Things can be boring but not bored.) *Note: When using “does” and “doesn’t” with 3rd person singular, do not add an ‘s” to the end of the verb.

To talk about schedules The post office opens at 9:00. The train doesn’t arrive until noon.* He works from 8:00 to 5:00. The plane leaves at midnight. *Note: When using “does” and “doesn’t” with 3rd person singular, do not add an ‘s” to the end of the verb.

Adverbs of Frequency When talking about routines, we use adverbs of frequency. Adverbs of frequency tell how often something happens. Some adverbs of frequency are one word and others are phrases. One word adverbs of frequency can be placed before the verb or at the end of the sentence. Adverbs of frequency phrases are placed at the end of the sentence.

One-word adverbs of frequency always often usually sometimes occasionally seldom rarely never daily weekly monthly yearly annually bi-weekly bi-monthly bi-annually

Adverbs of frequency phrases once a day every night each morning once a month every year twice a week three times a day every ten years once in a while once in a blue moon every so often all the time each and every day twenty-four seven now and then from time to time

To talk about routines I usually wake up at 7:00. You never call me. He washes his car once a week. She doesn’t go to school on Saturdays.* It usually sleeps at night. We play basketball in the evening. They go to church every Sunday. *Note: When using “does” and “doesn’t” with 3rd person singular, do not add an ‘s” to the end of the verb.

To give facts The sun rises in the east. The earth revolves around the sun. The sun doesn’t revolve around the earth.* That business sells computers.* Those businesses sell computers. *Note: When using “does” and “doesn’t” with 3rd person singular, do not add an ‘s” to the end of the verb.

All rights reserved by author. Copyright ©Donna Barr All rights reserved by author. www.ESLAmerica.US “The English language website where everything has sound!”