Simple Present Tense: Definition and Examples

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The simple present tense is one of the easiest verb tenses to master, because it has only two main uses. Its primary use is for talking about something in the present.

But if you’re not aware of these main functions, you might be tempted to use the simple present tense when other tenses are needed instead.

Uses of the Simple Present Tense

The two main uses of the simple present tense are: 

1. To talk about something that is happening at the moment, or something that occurs regularly or without ceasing.

This “happening without ceasing” is the reason why another term for the simple present tense is present indefinite. 

For example: 

  • She feels sick and needs to see the doctor. 
  • The hospital requires him to pay a downpayment. 
  • Children learn best through play.
  • Legumes and nuts are high in protein.  
  • Reading aloud to children is a proven way of raising up children who love to read. 

2. To talk about habitual occurrences or actions. 

For example: 

  • Emily practices her violin every day at 5:00a.m. 
  • Daniel always travels during his spring and winter breaks. 
  • The children stay with their father on the weekends. 
  • The very naughty boy terrorizes any babysitter his parents hire. 
  • The Kindle lasts up to two weeks on a full charge. 

Using the Simple Present Tense for a Future Event

A special use of the simple present tense can constitute a third function, as follows: 

3. To talk about something scheduled in the future. 

We also use the simple present tense to describe something that will occur in the future, but only when it’s something scheduled. 

For example: 

  • Our Zoom meeting is at 2:00 o’clock tomorrow. 
  • His flight leaves at 7:30p.m. on Tuesday and is estimated to arrive at 8:30p.m. 
  • The wedding reception starts at 6:00p.m. 
  • The children’s classes start again on Monday. 
  • Clara’s birthday party is next week. 

When NOT to Use the Simple Present Tense

Now that you know the two main uses of the simple present tense, check out this list of when not to use it:

1. To talk about a temporary action that is currently happening.

If you’re talking about a temporary action that is happening now, use the present continuous tense. 

For example: 

Incorrect: Dinah brushes her teeth and can’t come to the door. 
Correct: Dinah is brushing his teeth and can’t come to the door. 

Incorrect: Mother bakes cookies right now so that they’ll be ready when the kids arrive. 
Correct: Mother is baking cookies right now so that they’ll be ready when the kids arrive.

Incorrect: Sammy barks at the mailman, will you get him quiet please?
(Incorrect when the sentence is referring to the actual act of barking happening at the moment.)

Correct: Sammy is barking at the mailman, will you get him quiet please?

2. When talking about a future event that’s not scheduled. 

For example: 

Incorrect: It rains tomorrow. 
Correct: It will rain tomorrow. 

Incorrect: The cats meow all night. 
Correct: The cats will meow all night. 

How to Form the Simple Present Tense

Forming the simple present tense is, well, simple. You just have to remember to keep the correct subject-verb agreement.

If your subject is singular, add -s to the verb; if your subject is plural, do not add -s. 

For example:

  • I sit.
  • He plays. 
  • The boy sings. 
  • The children laugh. 
  • They eat. 

Simple Present Tense Quiz

Test your knowledge with this free simple present tense PDF quiz. Circle the verb in the simple present tense in each of the sentences below. 

  1. Bullies [make / makes] fun of children weaker than themselves.
  2. Birds [migrate / will migrate] every autumn and [come / comes] back in the spring. 
  3. I [feel / am feeling] awful at what happened. 
  4. He [will need / needs] medical attention right away! 
  5. The doves [coo / coos] among the trees. 
  6. She [loves / love] playing music every morning. 
  7. Some writers [write / will write] using an outline while others [write / will write] by the seat of their pants. 
  8. Learning a language [is / will be] an important skill. 
  9. We [need / will need] to learn how to deal with toxic people. 
  10. Starting a blog [is / was] simple, but building a website from scratch may not be. 

Answer Key

  1. Bullies make fun of children weaker than themselves.
  2. Birds migrate every autumn and come back in the spring. 
  3. I feel awful at what happened. 
  4. He needs medical attention right away! 
  5. The doves coo among the trees. 
  6. She loves playing music every morning. 
  7. Some writers write using an outline while others write by the seat of their pants. 
  8. Learning a language is an important skill. 
  9. We need to learn how to deal with toxic people. 
  10. Starting a blog is simple, but building a website from scratch may not be. 

Using the Simple Present Tense 

Now that you understand the basic functions of the simple present tense, you can easily decide when to use it. Practice writing sentences using the simple present tense to get the hang of it. 

Also, learn all you can about the other verb tenses so that you will always know which one to use, including the present perfect continuous, future perfect, and past perfect tenses.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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