The simple present tense is one of the most common tenses in English.
1. Forming the simple present tense
There are only two basic forms for the simple present tense; one ends with -s and the other doesn't. Here are the rules, using the example verb "sing":
Subject | Verb Form | Example |
---|---|---|
I | simple form | I sing |
You | simple form | You sing |
He | simple form + S | He sings |
She | simple form + S | She sings |
It | simple form + S | It sings |
We | simple form | We sing |
They | simple form | They sing |
In other words, only THIRD PERSON SINGULAR subjects (he, she and it) have to have a verb with -S.
2. -s or -es ?
With most verbs, the third person singular form is created simply by adding -S.
However, with some verbs, you need to add -ES or change the ending a little.
Here are the rules:
Verb ending in... | How to make the 3rd person singular | Example |
---|---|---|
s | Add -ES | He passes |
z | Add -ES | She waltzes |
sh | Add -ES | She wishes |
ch | Add -ES | He watches |
x | Add -ES | She mixes |
consonant + y | Change Y to I, then add -ES | It flies |
[anything else] | Add -S | He sings |
When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.
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