1. The Simple Present Tense Explained
Directions: Click on each slide to advance to the next slide.
Copyright ©Donna Barr
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2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

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