Simple Present Tense

(also called Present Simple)


The Simple Present is a very common tense in English. You should understand it, and know it well.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All Tenses


What's next?
  1. Read and understand the following explanations and examples

  2. Read and understand the Rules

  3. Practice, practice, practice with the Exercises


How do we use this tense?

The Simple Present is a form of the verb that shows the action takes place in the present.

Here are the different usages of this tense:


Make sure you also read:

Examples of Typical Time Expressions


Repeating actions or habits

(The verbs are in bold)



They travel every Sunday.

man and woman traveling




He goes to school by bike.

Boy on bicycle




He always loses his papers.

Man under desk looking for papers




They usually get a lot of fish.

Men on a boat




They go to work every day.

A man and a woman standing on a bus




Facts or things which are
true at all times




Cows eat grass.

A cow eating grass




Paris is in France.

Paris is in France




People sleep at night.

A girl sleeping at night




He is a good guy.

A sailor standing




He is a policeman.

a policeman




Conditions (not actions)
taking place at this moment




This is a big ship.

A big ship




She looks dangerous.

A dangerous woman




She likes him.

A nice lady




He thinks that she is pretty.

Milkman




They feel tired.

Sleeping dancing couple




He has a car.

A boy in a car


Examples of
Typical Time Expressions


always

usually

often

frequently

sometimes

rarely

never

once a _______ (minute, hour, day, week, month, year, etc)

every _______ (minute, hour, day, week, month, year, etc)

Practice reading, writing and speaking in the Simple Present Tense. Download the English Grammar Stories and Exercises Series.

English Grammar Stories and Exercises


Boy writing happily


What's Next?

  1. If you want, you can REREAD the previous explanations and examples.

  2. Read and understand the rules.

  3. Practice, practice, practice with the exercises.

  4. Read and practice with these stories and exercises.


Simple Present Story 1

Cowboy

Who is he? Where is he? What does he do?


Hank is a cowboy. He lives on a farm. He has a horse named Ginger. Hank loves Ginger. He rides Ginger every day. Sometimes they walk slowly, and sometimes they run fast. They always have a good time.

Ginger is Hank's horse. She is light brown. Her tail and mane are dark brown. She is three years old. She lives in the stable by the house.

Ginger waits for Hank every morning. She enjoys their time together. Often, Hank gives her apples. After long rides, Hank always washes and brushes Ginger. He usually brushes her tail. Then he gives her food and fresh water. Ginger loves Hank.

Click here to download the worksheet: Simple Present Story 1.

See also: Simple Present vs. Present Progressive Worksheet and Answer Key

See also: Stories and Exercises to Practice the Simple Tenses


Get Updates, Special Offers, and English Resources

Download your FREE GIFT (the first two chapters of
English Short Stories Book and Workbook)
as soon as you join!

English Short Stories

By submitting your email, you consent to receiving updates and newsletters from us and to the sharing of your personal data with third parties for the purposes of sending you communications. We will not spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please see our privacy policy.