Simple present tense

Simple present tense

The Present Simple Tense (also called the Simple Present Tense) is the verb tense taught first to ESL students. Most difficulties ESL learners experience are when regular verbs are used in the Third Person (she/he/it) and an ‘s’ is added and the conjugation of Present Simple irregular verbs. Trying to remember that ‘to be’, a common verb, does not follow the language rule can be quite challenging.
Verb Conjugation Present Simple for Regular Verbs (common miscellaneous verbs used)

1. I dance. I walk. I talk. I eat.

2. You dance. You walk. You talk. You think.

3. He/She/It dances. He/She/It walks. He/She/It talks. He/She/It thinks.

4. They dance. They walk. They talk. They eat.

We dance. We walk. We talk. We think.

Verb Form Present Simple (ESL students required to learn five forms)

1. Affirmative use (she walks).

2. Negative use (she doesn’t walk)

3. Yes/No Question (does she walk?)

4. Short Answers (yes, she does. No, she doesn’t).

5. WH- Questions (when does she walk?).

Function of Present Simple (correct use of the Present Simple)

The primary functions, of which there are two, of verb tense for Present Simple includes:

1. Talking about truths that are general in nature, where there is no other possible answer. (The sun sets in the west. The moon rises from the east.).

2. When speaking about things that may be a ritual or a habit. (He drinks tea every day. I buy food every week.)

Although there are more aspects of verb tense Simple Present (auxiliary or helping verb ‘do’, verb conjugation that is irregular, and word usage such as never, often, always) to be learnt, ESL students must be exposed to the above basics.