BAB 1

PRESENT TENSE
A. Simple Present
The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action
that is regular, true or normal. We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.

I take the train to the office.

The train to Berlin leaves every hour.

John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.

The President of The USA lives in The White House

A dog has four legs.

We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.

I get up early every day.

Carol brushes her teeth twice a day

They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.

It rains a lot in winter

The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.

They speak English at work.

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.
Subject

Verb

The Rest of the sentence

I / you / we / they

speak / learn

English at home

he / she / it
speaks / learns
English at home
The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the
ending of that verb:

1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the
third person.

go goes

catch catches

wash washes

kiss kisses

fix fixes

buzz buzzes

2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.

marry marries

study studies

carry carries

worry worries

NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.

play plays

enjoy enjoys

say says

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 orthey.

Affirmative: He speaks German.

Negative: He doesn't speak German.
When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the
subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. Notice that the
letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it

is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence. We will see the

reason why below.

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.
Word Order of Negative Sentences
The following is the word order to construct a basic negative
sentence in English in the Present Tense using Don't orDoesn't.
Subject

don't/doesn'
t

I / you / we / they don't

he / she / it

doesn't

Verb*

The Rest of the

sentence

have / buy
eat / like

cereal for breakfast

etc.
* 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.
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.

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?
When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to
make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at
the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third
person) disappears in the question. We will see the reason why below.
We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To
Be or Modal Verbs (can, must, might, should etc.)

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.
Do/Does

Subject

Verb*

The Rest of the

sentence

Do

I / you / we / they

Does

he / she / it

have / need

a new bike?
want etc.
*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.
Examples of Questions 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?

Short Answers with Do and Does

In questions that use do/does it is possible to give short answers to
direct questions as follows:
Sample Questions

Short Answer

Short Answer

(Affirmative)

(Negative)

Do you like chocolate?

Yes, I do.

No, I don't.

Do I need a pencil?

Yes, you do.

No, you don't.

Do you both like chocolate?

Yes, we do.

No, we don't.

Do they like chocolate?

Yes, they do.

No, they don't.

Does he like chocolate?

Yes, he does.

No, he doesn't.

Does she like chocolate?

Yes, she does.

No, she doesn't.

Does it have four wheels?

Yes, it does.
However, if a question word such

No, it doesn't.

as who, when, where, why, which or how is used in the question, you
can not use the short answers above to respond to the question.
Examples :

The simple present tense is the one which we use when an action is
happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly,
which is why its sometimes called present indefinite). The simple
present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding -s or -es
to the end, depending on the person.
Regular Verbs
In present tense, regular verbs use the root form, except for third
person singular (which ends in -s).
First person singular: I write
Second person singular: You write
Third person singular: He/she/it writes (note the -s)
First person plural: We write
Second person plural: You write
Third person plural: They write
I write grammar books.
This sentence implies that I write grammar books on a regular basis,
perhaps as a career.
Anna writes the letter.
This sentence could be from a narrative, telling a story about what
Anna is doing right now.
Here are some other examples:
I go , you go , he/she/it goes , we go , you go , they go
I see , you see , he/she/it sees , we see , you see , they see
I learn , you learn , he/she/it learns , we learn , you learn , they learn
Irregular Verbs
Irregular present tense verbs are things like to be, which change for
each person.
First person singular: I am

Second person singular: You are

Third person singular: He/she/it is
First person plural: We are
Second person plural: You are
Third person plural: They are
I am 20 years old.
You are 20 years old.
He is 20 years old.
B. Continuous Present
The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts
- the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the
main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing,
moving, smiling)
Affirmative
Subject

+ to be

+ base + ing

She

is

talking.

Subject

+ to be + not

+ base + ing

She

is not (isn't)

talking

to be

+ subject

+ base + ing

Is

she

talking?

Negative

Interrogative

EXAMPLES: TO GO, PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Affirmative
Negative

Interrogative

I am going

I am not going

Am I going?

You are going

You aren't going.

Are you going?

He, she, it is going

He, she, it isn't

Is he, she, it

We are going

going
We aren't going

going?
Are we going?

You are going

You aren't going

Are you going?

They are going

They aren't

Are they

going

going?

Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going,
he's not going etc.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as
important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses
the present continuous, they are thinking about something that
is unfinished or incomplete
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS IS USED:

to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are

using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.

to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a

trend: Are you still working for the same company? More and
more peopleare becoming vegetarian.

to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been

planned or prepared: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm
meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?

to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the

drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast
was good, butit's raining at the moment.

with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a

continuing series of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always
arguing!You're constantly complaining about your mother-inlaw!

BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form
VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY USED IN THE CONTINUOUS FORM
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form because
they refer to states, rather than actions or processes.
EXCEPTIONS
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with can: : I
can see... These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a
different meaning

This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's
qualities)

John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)

She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)

She's having supper. (She's eating)

I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)

I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)

SENSES /
PERCEPTION

OPINION

to assume

MENTAL

EMOTIONS /

STATES

DESIRES

to feel*

to believe

to forget

to envy

to hear

to

to imagine

to fear

to see*

consider

to know

to dislike

to smell

to doubt

to mean

to hate

to taste

to feel (=

to notice

to hope

to think)

to

to like

recognise

to love

to

to mind

remember

to prefer

to

to regret

suppose

understan

to want

to think*

to wish

to find (=
to

consider)

MEASUREMEN
T

to

OTHERS

to look

to contain

(=resembl

to cost

e)

to hold

to seem

to

to be (in

measure

most

to weigh

cases)

to
have(whe
n it means
"to
possess")*

FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.
Complete List of Present Continuous Forms
USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea
that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be
used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this
year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous
to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in
progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a
restaurant.)
I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that

something will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly"

expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens.
Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion.
Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and
"verb+ing."

Examples:
She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be
used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings
for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using
Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.
Examples:
She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such
as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ACTIVE
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASSIVE

The form of the present continuous tense

The verb to be (in the simple present)
The affirmative forms of the present continuous:
I

am
m

You, we, they

are

verb + ing
eating.

re
He, she, it

is

's
The interrogative forms of the present continuous
Am

Are

you, we, they

eating?

Is
he, she, it
The negative forms of the present continuous
I

am not

eating.

m not
You, we, they

are not
aren't

He, she, it

is not
isn't

The use of the present continuous tense

The present continuous is used to talk about actions happening at

the time of speaking.
Example:
o Where is Mary? She is having a bath. (Not she has a bath)
o What are you doing at the moment in front of your screen?
Don't you know? Well you are reading this lesson.
Youare learning English.

The present continuous can also be used when an action has started
but hasnt finished yet.
Example:

o I am reading a book; its a nice book. (It means = I am not

necessarily reading it; I started reading it but I havent
finished it yet

Special verbs
There are verbs which are normally not used in the present continuous.
Examples:
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize,
see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish
It's not correct to say:
He is wanting to buy a new car.*
You must say:
He wants to buy a new car.