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The simple present tense in English
The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.
Repeated actions
- Simple statements of fact
- World truths
- With verbs of the senses and mental processes
- In jokes and story telling
- To refer to the future -
Examples of Negative Sentences
I take the train to the office.
The train to Berlin leaves every hour.
John sleeps eight hours every night during the week. -
Verb Conjugation & Spelling
We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the TO). In general, in the third person we add 'S' in the third person. -
Examples of Affirmative 3° Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:
It rains a lot in winter.
The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.
Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.
The President of The USA lives in The White House.
A dog has four legs. -
Negative Sentences in the Simple Present Tense
To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (can, might, should etc.). Affirmative: You speak French.
Negative: You don't speak French.
You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they. Affirmative: He speaks German.
Negative: He doesn't speak German -
Examples of Negative Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:
You don't speak Arabic.
John doesn't speak Italian.
We don't have time for a rest.
It doesn't move.
They don't want to go to the party.
She doesn't like fish. -
Negative Contractions
Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not I don't like meat = I do not like meat. There is no difference in meaning though we normally use contractions in spoken English. -
Questions in the Simple Present Tense
To make a question in English we normally use Do or Does. It has no translation in Spanish though it is essential to show we are making a question. It is normally put at the beginning of the question. Affirmative: You speak English.
Question: Do you speak English?
You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to make it a question. We use Do when the subject is I, you, we or they. Affirmative: He speaks French.
Question: Does he speak French? -
Examples of Interrogative Sentences with Do and Does:
Do you need a dictionary?
Does Mary need a dictionary?
Do we have a meeting now?
Does it rain a lot in winter?
Do they want to go to the party?
Does he like pizza? -
Word Order of Questions with Do and Does
The following is the word order to construct a basic question in English using Do or Does.
*Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part. Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
