English Verbs and Twelve Verb Tenses: Tense #1 Simple Present Verb Tense

English Verbs and Twelve Verb Tenses:
Simple Present Verb Tense (#1) is easy.

Simple Present tense is basic for many language learners.

Simple Present shows regular actions or non-actions.

Here are some examples. You can practice writing on the lines next to the examples if you wish.

You can use frequency adverbs to describe verbs in the simple present:

Frequency Adverbs:

• Always __________________________
• Usually __________________________
• Often    __________________________
• Seldom __________________________
• Rarely  __________________________
• Never   __________________________

Here are some examples:

• I always drink coffee.      ________________________________
• You usually drink coffee. ________________________________
• Chris often drinks coffee. ________________________________
• We seldom drink tea.       ________________________________
• You rarely drink tea.        ________________________________
• Cats never drink tea.        ________________________________

In these cases, the frequency adverb describes the verb
The frequency advers shows how often the subject drinks coffee.

Simple Present works with times, dates, and plans.

• I get up at 7:00 am.          _______________________________
• You get up at 8:00 am.     _______________________________
• Chris gets up at 9:00 am. _______________________________
• We get up in the morning.____________________________
• You get up after I get up. _______________________________
• Some students get up at 2:00 pm. ____________________________

Simple Present and the "Be" Verb

• I am       ____________________________________
• You are ____________________________________
• She is    ____________________________________
• He is     ____________________________________
• It is       ____________________________________
• We are  ____________________________________ 
• You are ____________________________________
• They are ___________________________________

Simple Present and the "Have" Verb

• I have ______________________________
• You have  __________________________________
• He has      __________________________________
• She has     __________________________________
• It has        __________________________________
• We have   ___________________________
• You have  ___________________________
• They have __________________________________

Simple Present and the "Do" Verb

• I do         ___________________________________
• You do    ___________________________________
• She does __________________________________
• He does  ___________________________________
• It does    ___________________________________
• We do    ___________________________________
• You do   ___________________________________
• They do  ___________________________________

Simple Present and the "Talk" Verb

• I talk        __________________________________
• You talk  __________________________________
• He talks   __________________________________
• She talks  __________________________________
• It talks     __________________________________
• We talk   __________________________________
• You talk  __________________________________
• They talk __________________________________

 Simple Present and the "Go" Verb

• I go         ___________________________________
• You go   ___________________________________
• She goes ___________________________________
• He goes  ___________________________________
• It goes    ___________________________________
• We go    ___________________________________
• You go   ___________________________________
• They go  ___________________________________

 

 For more exercises, check out Betty Azar's Grammar.

Grammar is Magic

Many people are afraid of the word "Grammar."
Yet, an old meaning of the word grammar is "Magic."
When you write, you use grammar to create magic.
You can use grammar for many reasons:
Write a letter to apply for a job.
Write a letter to tell someone you love them.
Write a journal, a log, or a diary to record your ideas and feelings.
Write a paragraph, essay or research report.
Remember that Grammar is Magic!
Grammar can work like magic to help you reach your goals and dreams.
Written on Saturday, May 28, 2011
By Teresa Knudsen Dashwood