Basic English Grammar: Tense – 1

Subject + Root form of the Verb + Object

In Present Simple sentences, number and person of the Subject play a very important role. If the Subject is Singular Number Third Person, add –s or –es at the end of the Verb.

For example:

(a) I play hockey.

(b) I go to school.

Use of Present Simple Tense:

Rule 1: To express a habitual action, custom, practice, repeated action, etc.

For example:

(a) It rains in winter in Tamil Nadu.

(b) He occasionally visits temple.

Rule 2: To express universal (eternal) truths.

For example:

(a) Two and two make four.

(b) Salt dissolves in water

Rule 3: In Exclamatory Sentences beginning with ‘here’ and ‘there’, to express what is actually taking place in the present.

For example:

(a) Here she comes!

(b) There goes the bell!

Rule 4: To indicate a future event that is part of a plan or an arrangement.

For example:

(a) The Prime Minister comes to the town tomorrow.

(b) The Indian team goes to England this month.

Rule 5: With ‘whenever’ and ‘when’.

For example:

(a) Whenever it rains, the roof leaks.

(b) When he comes here, he brings fruits.

Rule 6: When the Main Verb is in the Future Tense, use Present Simple in Conditional Clauses beginning with if, till, as soon as, when, unless, before, until, even if, in case and as.

For example:

(a) I shall not go to market if it rains.

(b) Unless he works hard, he will not pass.

Rule 7: To introduce quotations.

For example:

(a) Gita says, “Give your best and do not worry for the results”.

(b) Pope says, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”.