Simple Present Tense | Examples, Uses, Rules, Exercises.

Simple Present Tense Examples: Ever wondered why the sentence "The Earth revolves around the sun" uses the present tense even though it describes an event that has been happening for millions of years? The answer lies in the concept of the present simple tense, a basic form of verb tenses. Also known as the "Present Indefinite Tense", the Simple Present Tense is used to express daily routine, universal facts (or general truths), present time, etc. 

Simple Present Tense, a verb tense, is the basic form of the present tense in English that helps to express present actions, habits, daily routine or universally established facts. In general, the simple present tense is used to describe actions happening in the present moment or those that happen regularly. The simple present tense sentences are created either by using the base form of the verb or adding s/es to them depending on the person/subject in the sentence.

In this article, we will discuss the simple present tense definition, simple present tense formula and examples, simple present tense sentences and exercises, and some common mistakes. But first, we will learn about the simple present tense definition and examples (Present Indefinite Tense definition).  

Learn all about the tenses in English grammar with examples here.

Table of Contents:

• What is Simple Present Tense?
  • Where is Simple Present Tense Used?
• Simple Present Tense Rules
  • Rule for Adding s/es to Verbs in Simple Present Tenses
• 5 Common Mistakes While Learning Simple Present Tense
• Simple Present Tense Examples
• Simple Present Tense Exercises
• Simple Present Tense FAQs

What is a Simple Present Tense?

Simple Present tense (also known as the Present Indefinite Tense), the base form of the verb, is used to express general truths/facts (such as - “the sun rises in the east.”), habits (I wake up in the morning) and planned events in the near future (Ram’s birthday comes next week). 

Where is Simple Present Tense Used? | Examples 

The Present Indefinite Tense is used in various cases. The various instances, where the Simple Present tense is used to construct the sentence structure, are given below. 

• To Express Habits/Daily Routine: the things you usually do, routined habits/activities are described by using the present indefinite tense rules. For example:
  • I wake up at 6 am. 
  • I go to school. 
• General Truths: (also the permanent truths) are the universal truths and facts that can be described using the Present Indefinite tense. Simple present tense examples of this kind are given below.
  • The sun rises in the east.
  • Delhi stands on the bank of the river Yamuna. 
• Near Future Events: the actions that are going to be performed in the near future are also expressed using the Simple Present tense rules. For example:
  • They leave at 9 am tomorrow. 
  • My birthday comes next week. 
• Present Time: the activity that is ongoing in the present time. For example:
  • Rohit lives in Chandigarh.
  • I study in class 5. 
• Exclamatory Sentences that start with “see”, “here” and “there”: these are some powerful expressions that indicate an action in the present moment. Present indefinite tense examples of this kind are given below.
  • See, how it rains.
  • Here comes the principal.
• To Repeat a Quotation: the quotations from famous personalities can be repeated as such by making use of the Present Simple Tenses. For example:
  • Keats says, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
  • Browning says, “Who knows the world may end tonight.”
• To Express a Past Event in a Narrative: past events in a narrative can be expressed by making use of the simple present tenses, for example:
  • Sher Singh takes his sister and leaves for Holland.
  • Laxmi Bai now rides her horse and leads her army.
• Imperative Sentences: used to start “imperative sentences” as given below.
  • Obey your elders.
  • Do not speak a lie. 

Simple Present Tense Rules and Examples

Below we have covered the rules on how simple present tense sentences are created when describing your daily activities in an affirmative, negative and interrogative manner using the simple present tense structure to make the sentences. Check out the rules for making present simple tense sentences below.

Simple Present Tense Rules
Types of Simple Present Tense Sentences	Singular Noun (Subject)	Plural Noun (Subject)
Affirmative	Rule: Subject + V1 + s/es + Object  Example: Sneha goes to school.	Rule: Subject + V1 + Object  Example: They go to school.
Negative	Rule: Subject + does not + V1 + Object Example: Sneha doesn't go to school.	Rule: Subject + do not + V1 + Object  Example: They do not go to school.
Interrogative	Rule: Does + Subject + V1 + object? Example: Does Sneha go to school?	Rule: Do + Subject + V1 + object? Example: Do they go to school?

Where: V1 denotes the first form of Verb. 

Note: In all Simple present tense examples, the singular subject rules apply to “he, she and it” and for the rest (I, we, you, they), plural subject rules will apply. 

You can create simple present tense sentences by using the above rules. For example:

Simple Present Tense Examples
Types of Simple Present Tense Sentences	Simple Present Tense Examples
Affirmative	Ram plays football.	Students go to school.
Negative	Ram does not play football.	Students do not go to school.
Interrogative	Does Ram play football?	Do students go to school?

Rules for Adding -s/es and -ies to Verbs in Simple Present Tenses 

There are two rules that will help you understand where and when to add “s”, “es” and “ies” as suffixes to the first form of the verbs in sentences while using the simple present tense (or Present Indefinite Tense formula). The correct use of s/es and ies are given below. 

• When the first form of the verb ends in -o, -ss, -sh, -ch, and -x.

When the verb in simple tense ends in -o, -ss, -sh, -ch, and -x, the suffix “es” is added. In the rest of the cases, add “s” to the verb. For example, “go” becomes “goes”, “search” becomes “searches” and “run” becomes “runs”.

• When the first form of the verb ends in a consonant followed by -y. 

When the verb in a simple present tense sentence ends in a -y and there is a consonant before -y, “ies” is added as a suffix to the verb. For example, “carry” becomes “carries” and “copy” becomes “copies”.

Note:- Alternatively, it can be understood that the base form of the verb is used in the simple present tense sentences with first and second person singular while s/es is used with third person singular. However, with all the plural forms, only the base form is used. 

Common Verbs Used in the Simple Present Tenses

Here is the list of the most commonly used verb forms in most of the simple present tense examples. 

Verb	Subject Forms
	I, We, You, They (1st and 2nd Person Singular, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Person Plural)	He, She, It (Third Person Singular)
To play	play	plays
To be	am/are	is
To work	work	works
To have	have	has
To do	do	does
To study	study	studies

5 Common Mistakes While Learning Present Simple Tense

Below are the common mistakes to avoid when learning the Present Indefinite tense formula and examples. These mistakes have been explained by giving incorrect simple present tense examples, the explanation of the mistake and the correct sentence of each example. 

• Adding "-s" to the verb base for all subjects: s/es is added only to the singular third person (he, she, it). For example:
  • Mistake: They works every day.  
  • Explanation: The "-s" ending is only added to the base verb form for singular third-person subjects (he, she, it)
  • Correction: They work every day. (Base verb form "work" is used with the plural subject "they")
• Confusing simple present with present continuous: Simple Present Tense describes habits, facts, and general truths, while present continuous describes actions happening right now or around the moment of speaking. So, the simple present tense rules are used only when we talk about a daily habit, a general fact, a near-future event or a current moment. For example:
  • Mistake: I am eating breakfast right now, but I eats breakfast at 8 am every day. (Mixing present continuous tense for a current action with the simple present tense for a habit)  
  • Explanation: The simple present tense describes habits, facts, and general truths that happen regularly. The present continuous tense describes actions happening right now or around the moment of speaking.
  • Correction: I am eating breakfast right now, but I eat breakfast at 8 am every day. (Use "eat" - the base verb form - to indicate a regular habit)
• Forgetting the auxiliary verb "do/does" in negative sentences: In the negative sentences of the simple present tenses, you need the auxiliary verb "do/does" before "not" + verb base.
  • Mistake: She not like coffee.
  • Explanation: In negative sentences of the simple present tense, you need to add the auxiliary verb "do/does" before "not" + verb base. This rule applies to all subjects, i.e. I, you, he, she, it, we, you plural, and they.
  • Correction: She does not like coffee.
• Using the simple present for future events: Simple present tense is not typically used for specific future events. Use present continuous for planned future events or add "will" for future predictions.
  • Mistake: My train leaves tomorrow at 7 pm. (Simple present for a specific future event)
  • Explanation: The simple present tense is not typically used for specific future events with a clear timeframe. For future predictions, the addition of “will” in the future simple tense is recommended. 
  • Correction: My train will leave tomorrow at 7 pm. 
• Using the simple present for single, completed actions in the past: The simple present tense is not typically used for single events that happened and are finished in the past. Use the simple past tense for completed actions in the past.
  • Mistake: He visits his grandparents every summer. (Simple present tense for a past action)
  • Explanation: The simple present tense is not used for events that happened and are finished in the past. For actions completed in the past, simple past tense is used instead.
  • Correction: He visited his grandparents every summer. (Use "visited" - the simple past tense - to indicate a completed action)

Simple Present Tense Examples (for each Case)

Below are some more present indefinite tense examples for every case/situation where this tense is used. 

Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite Tense) Examples by Uses
Different Cases of Using Simple Present Tense	Example 1	Example 2
Habits	She exercises at the gym three times a week.	We study English for two hours in the evening.
General Facts	Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.	The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Near Future	My exams end next week.	The movie starts at 7 pm tonight.
Present Time/Moment	I live in Delhi.	Rohan studies in class ninth.
Exclamatory Sentences starting with "here" and "there"	Here comes my brother.	There goes the principal.
To Repeat a Quotation	Shakespeare says, "All the world's a stage."	As the proverb goes, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
To Express a Past Event in a Narrative (Story-telling)	The king rides out of the castle with his knights.	She opens the mysterious box and finds a treasure map inside.
Imperative Sentences	Brush your teeth every morning.	Be careful when crossing the street.

Simple Present Tense Exercises

Let us see some present indefinite tense exercises below. You can use these practice questions as simple present tense examples worksheets to practice later.  

Simple Present Tense Exercise - Beginner Level

Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences with the correct form of suggested helping verbs. 

1. The mother …….. (cook) the food.
2. Rita …….. (call) me every morning. 
3. She …….. (read) in tenth class.
4. The cat …… (kill) rats. 
5. The sun …… (rise) in the east. 

Answers:

1. cooks
2. calls
3. reads
4. Kills
5. rises

Simple Present Tense Exercise - Intermediate Level

Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences with the correct form of suggested helping verbs.

1. The train …….. (depart) at 7 am tomorrow.
2. Sarah …….. (go) to yoga classes every day. 
3. The gardener ……. (take care) of the plants
4. Here …….. (come) the train. 
5. I go to …….. (play) every evening.  

Answers:

1. Departs
2. Goes
3. takes care
4. Comes
5. play

Present Indefinite Tense Exercise - Advanced Level

Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences with the correct form of suggested helping verbs.

1. …… (do/does) he ……… (play) tennis?
2. When …….. (do/does) the bus ……. (leave)?
3. We …….. (achieve) great things when we work together. 
4. Most people ………. (believe) in the importance of education. 
5. The children …….. (play) in the garden every afternoon after school.

Answers:

1. Does, play
2. Does, leave
3. achieve
4. believe
5. play

100 Sentences of Simple Present Tense

Examples of 100 present indefinite tense sentences are given below.  

100 Simple Present Tense Examples
The cat sleeps on the couch.	The dog barks at the mailman.	The sun shines brightly.
Birds fly in the sky.	The river flows to the sea.	I eat an apple every day.
Ram drinks coffee in the morning.	We study English.	The children play in the garden.
My father works in a bank.	My mother cooks delicious food.	My sister sings beautifully.
My grandparents live in a village.	My brother plays the guitar.	The teacher explains the lesson.
My friends go to school together.	The school bell rings on time.	The students listen attentively.
The train arrives on time.	The bus stops at the corner.	The car drives slowly.
The bicycle rides smoothly.	The boat sails on the lake.	The horse gallops in the field.
The cow grazes in the meadow.	The drought dries up the land.	The hurricane destroys the city.
The tsunami floods the coast.	The volcano erupts.	The earthquake shakes the ground.
The peace brings happiness.	My neighbor walks their dog every morning.	The chef prepares delicious meals in the restaurant.
The doctor examines patients in the clinic.	The lawyer argues cases in the courtroom.	The teacher assigns homework to students.
The police officer patrols the neighborhood.	The firefighter puts out fires.	The construction worker builds houses.
The farmer plants crops in the field.	The electrician installs the wiring.	The mechanic repairs cars.
The artist paints beautiful pictures.	The musician plays the piano.	The scientists conduct experiments.
The CEO runs the company.	The student studies hard.	The librarian helps people find books.
The taxi driver drives passengers to their destinations.	The train conductor announces the stops.	The pilot flies the plane.
The beach offers swimming and sunbathing.	The park provides recreational activities.	The museum exhibits art and artifacts.
The zoo houses animals.	The amusement park offers rides.	The theater performs plays.
The concert hall hosts concerts.	The library provides books and resources.	The government provides services to citizens.
The economy drives the country.	The environment needs protection.	The culture reflects the values.
The history shapes the present.	The kindness warms the heart.	The patience overcomes challenges.
The perseverance achieves goals.	The science explains the world.	The literature enriches the mind.
The art inspires the imagination.	The music touches the soul.	The beauty captivates the eyes.
The genius creates masterpieces.	The talent shines brightly.	The ignorance limits the knowledge.
The intelligence solves the puzzles.	The jealousy poisons the heart.	The fear paralyzes the mind.
The hope inspires the people.	The war kills the soldiers.	The wisdom guides the life.
The sun rises in the east.	Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.	I wake up at 7 AM every day.
She usually eats breakfast before going to work.	We often go for walks in the park.	They always watch TV in the evening.
The Earth revolves around the Sun.	Two plus two equals four.	Don't touch the hot stove.
Turn off the lights when you leave the room.	He doesn't eat meat.	They don't like spicy food.
I do like chocolate!	He does play the guitar very well.	Actions speak louder than words.
She studies at the library every afternoon.	We go to the park for a walk on weekends.	They watch movies together on Friday nights.
She works as a teacher.

Importance of Simple Present Tenses in English Language Exams 

The present indefinite tense is crucial for success in English language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo for several reasons, as given below. 

1. Foundational for other tenses: Mastering the simple present tense lays the groundwork for understanding and using other tenses like present continuous, future simple, and past simple. These English language exams (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo) often test your ability to move between tenses within a passage or conversation.
2. Having an Edge Over the Simple Present Tense Demonstrates Accuracy: Correct usage of the present indefinite tense shows a strong understanding of the subject-verb agreement, verb conjugation, and sentence structure. These are all the fundamental aspects of the grammar portion tested in these exams.
3. Expresses Daily Routines and Habits: You will likely encounter prompts or questions about your daily routines, study habits, or background in any of these exams (such as in IELTS Speaking). By using the simple present tense accurately, you will be able to communicate this information clearly and effectively.
4. Describe general Truths and Facts: Reading passages and listening tasks often contain factual statements or general truths. Understanding the simple present tense allows you to comprehend this information and answer related questions.
5. Indirectly Tested in Other Sections: Even if a specific question does not directly ask about the simple present tense, understanding it can help you eliminate answer choices that contain grammatically incorrect verb usage in this tense.

Here are a few more topics you may like to read to improve your English:

• Prepositions
• Personal Pronouns

Are you willing to take the first move towards realising your dream of studying abroad? Prepare for your next English language exam to study abroad with Shiksha’s Free IELTS Classes. 

This was all about the simple present tense definition, simple present tense formula, present indefinite tenses sentences and examples. We studied the basic verb form of the English grammar tenses, i.e. the simple present tense (also known as the Present Indefinite tense), simple present tense definitions, simple present tense sentences, do/does use, simple present tense examples and simple present tense questions. You can download the simple present tense examples PDF by clicking on the “Download Guide” button. 

Related Reads:

1. Present Continuous Tense
2. Present Perfect Tense
3. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
4. Past Perfect Tense
5. Future Plans

Simple Present Tense FAQs