The Simple Present
is used to make statements about the present
time. It is used in the following ways.
- Permanent facts: These sentences give
facts which are always true.
It is cold in winter. - The sun shines. - Fish
live in water.
- Present facts: These sentences are
true now.
I work at home. - She plays the piano.
"I work at home" doesn't mean I am
working right now, but it does mean that in
my present condition I work at home.
- Habitual actions: I get up at 8.00.
- They come here every day.
These actions are repeated regularly, so they
are considered a present reality and are expressed
in the Simple Present.
Here is the verb "to give in the Simple
Present:
|
Singular
I give
You give
He gives
She gives
It gives
|
Plural
We give
You give
They give
|
If you look above
you'll see the spelling doesn't change, except
for the third person singular (He, She, It)
which adds an "s" to the verb. For
example "I eat - He eats".
Sometimes other spelling rules also apply to
He, She and It. All the following verbs add
"es" instead of "s":
|
Verb Endings
Verbs ending
in -o add -es
Verbs ending
in -s add -es
Verbs ending
in -x add -es
Verbs ending
in -ch add -es
Verbs ending
in -sh add -es
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Verbs ending
in a consonant and -y often change
the -y to -ies:
Verbs such
as "buy" have no consonant before
the "y", so you simply add -s
as usual.
|
Spelling
Examples
do - does,
go - goes
pass - passes,
kiss - kisses
fix - fixes,
mix - mixes
match - matches,
catch - catches
push - pushes,
rush - rushes
try - tries,
cry - cries
buy - buys, pay - pays.
|
Click below for exercises
on the Present Simple.
