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Explanation for simple present

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Explanation for simple present  Empty Explanation for simple present

Post by Dalal Al-Harabi Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:07 am

[size=18]Simple Present


Verb "Be"
Perhaps the most important verb in the English language is the verb "To be." English speakers use this verb to express actions and states of being. This verb can be used in all three tenses (past, present, and future). This makes it a good starting point for beginners.

To be - Positive Sentences & Contractions

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Full Forms of the verb to be

I am a student.
He is a teacher.
She is a journalist.
It is a book.
We are mechanics.
You are pilots.
They are policemen.

FORM
[VERB] + s/es in third person

Examples:

You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.
Complete List of Simple Present Forms

USE 1 Repeated Actions


Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations


The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future


Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?
USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)


Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.

Examples:

I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You only speak English.
Do you only speak English?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:

Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive

We use the present simple to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent. It is a very common and very important tense.

Here, we are talking about regular actions or events.

They drive to the office every day.
She doesn't come here very often.
The news usually starts at 6.00 every evening.
Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast?
Here, we are talking about facts.

We have two children.
Water freezes at 0° C or 32° F.
What does this expression mean?
The Thames flows through London.
Here, we are talking about future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.

Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year.
The plane leaves at 5.00 tomorrow morning.
Ramadan doesn't start for another 3 weeks.
Does the class begin at 10 or 11 this week?
Here, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Although these feelings can be short-term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous.

They don't ever agree with us.
I think you are right.
She doesn't want you to do it.
Do you understand what I am trying to say.

Sources :

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/
http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentSimpleToBe1A.html and other sources .
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Dalal Al-Harabi
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Join date : 2012-02-23
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