Learning Present Indefinite Tense

Tenses

The word ‘tense’ is derived from Latin word ‘tempus’ and it means time. Basically tense conveys the time of action.

Tenses are mainly divided into parts – Present, Past and Future. They are further subdivided into three categories – Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous.

PRESENT TENSE	PAST TENSE	FUTURE TENSE
PRESENT INDEFINITE	PAST INDEFINITE	FUTURE INDEFINITE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS	PAST CONTINUOUS	FUTURE CONTINUOUS
PRESENT PERFECT	PAST PERFECT	FUTURE PERFECT
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS	PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS	FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT TENSE AT A GLANCE

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE OR PRESENT INDEFINITE TENSE

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE is generally used to describe actions that occur in the present time but that are not happening right now.

We use the Simple Present Tense when an action takes place now, or when it happens regularly, daily or generally.

Basic structure of a sentence in this tense is Subject + Verb 1 + Object (S+V+O)

Simple Present Tense is used to –

1. express a habitual action :

e.g.     He tells a lie.

      

            Paul practises piano every day.

     

            Puja swims in morning.

2. convey a work done as a daily routine :

e.g. My mother cooks for me.

       We take eggs in breakfast.

       My father goes for a walk in morning.

3. express facts and general/universal truths :

e.g.  The Sun rises in the east.

        They  deal in Electronics.       

       

        My aunt is German by birth.

4. denote a planned or arranged event :

e.g. The Super Kids starts at 8:30 p.m.

        The Shatabdi Express arrives at 9 a.m.

        Mr. Verma travels during the summer.

5. express preference, character, condition :

e.g. I love to read books.

      

       The car looks old.

       Sweta is punctual.

Video on Integrated Present Tense

Adverbs/Adverb phrases used -

 Always                      Daily

Usually                      Sometimes

Never                         Seldom

Rarely                                    Often

Every day                 Generally

Twice a day              In morning

Verb form used in the Tense–

Verb's base form is used (first form of verb)

 Singular subject takes singular verb. (verb 1+ s/es)

 Plural subject takes plural verb. (verb 1 without s/es)

Plural verbs   Verb 1 (first form)	Singular verbs   Verb 1 + s / es
sleep	sleeps
Work	Works
Play	Plays
Try	Tries
Go	Goes
Do	Does
watch	watches
relax	relaxes
dance	dances
write	writes

Examples :

 You seem tired.

 I brush my teeth twice a day.

 Rohini enjoys playing the piano.

 Spiders make webs.

 He is very hard working.

My sister knows Bharatnatyam.

 Sonu does not like vanilla.

 These girls practise every day for three hours.

 Ananya studies in a boarding school.

I love to read mystery books.

Note : I and You in spite of being singular take plural verb. It is an exception to the rule.

Present Tense

Exercise for practice

1.     Mr. Smith _________ us Spanish. (teach)

2.     Mona ______________ how to swim. (not know)

3.     Cows ________ in fields. (graze)

4.     Rakesh _________ care of his sister. (take)

5.      I _________ coffee to tea. (prefer)

6.     My granny _________ very beautiful. (be)

7.     We _________ every day for an hour. (play)

8.     My parents _____________ English. (not speak)

9.     Aunt Lisa __________ cookies for me. (bake)

10.                        One of my friends ________ very well. (dance)   

Answers :

1.     Teaches   2. Does not know    3. Graze   4. Take   5. Prefer

6. Is   7. Play   8. Do not speak   9. Bakes   10. dances

Video on Integrated Tense Practice

                         

https://youtu.be/_oNSt-QWCPY