The use of various temporary forms in English is often difficult, especially for those who are just starting to learn the language. Getting started with English times is best done with the simplest topic, “Using Present Simple.” Another common definition is Present Indefinite Tense.
Affirmative
The formation of the above form and the use of verbs in Present Simple is quite simple to remember. In the 1st and 2nd person hours, as well as in all persons multip. The verb numbers are used unchanged. In the 3rd person h. The ending -s or -es is added. More details in the table:
| units number | many number |
| 1st person | I see, do (I see, do) | we see, do (we see, do) |
| 2 l | you see, do (you see, do) | you see, do (you see, do) |
| 3rd L. | he / she / it sees, does (he, she, it sees, does) | they see, do (they see, do) |
How to understand in which words in the third person singular the ending -s is added, and when -es? The addition of endings occurs on the same principle as in the formation of the plural. If the word ends with -ch, -sh, -o, -s, -ss, -x, the ending -es will be required. In all other words - as usual, simply -s.
As for the verb "to be," its conjugation differs from the standard.
| units h | many h |
| 1 liter | I am | we are |
| 2 l | you are | you are |
| 3 l | he / she / it is | they are |
Interrogative form
The formation of sentences containing a question occurs with the help of the auxiliary verb to do, which is put at the beginning. Also, depending on the context, the verbs to be, to have and interrogative words (what, when, why etc.) can be used.
- Do you like classic music? - Do you like classical music?
- Have you something to read? - Do you have something to read?
- Are you a teacher? - You are teacher?
- What does this term mean? - What does this term mean?
The vocabulary order in the sentence remains unchanged: the auxiliary verb is put first, followed by the subject and the remaining components.
negative form
Negation is formed by the verbs to do, to be or to have in combination with the particle "not" (not). The subject is put first. In this case, the abbreviations don't, doesn't, aren't, isn't, haven't, hasn't been often used.
- She doesn't like such a music. “She doesn't like that kind of music.”
- He isn't a pianist. - He is not a pianist.
- I don't have anything to say. - I have nothing to say.
Interrogative negative form
Similar constructions are translated into Russian with particles such as "unless" and "really."
- Do I not know? - Really (really) I do not know?
- Why do not you say the truth? “Why don't you tell the truth?”
In colloquial speech they can also use abbreviated options: don't, doesn't, haven't and others.
Passive voice
The above rules for the formation of proposals related to the active voice (Active voice). There is still a passive voice (Passive voice), in which the action is directed to the subject. Consider the following table and using Present Simple Passive will not cause any difficulties.
Comparative characteristics of the real and passive voice in the present indefinite time:
| Active | | Passive | |
| I | listen | I'm listening to | am listened | they listen to me |
| he, she, it | listens | she she she listens | is listened | listen to her |
| we, you, they | listen | we, you, they listen | are listened | us, you, they are listening |
In the case of irregular verbs, one should take into account the peculiarity of their use and substitute the desired form (Past Participle from the third column of the irregular verb table).
- This work is done well. - This work is done well.
- A lot of books are written every year. - Many books are written annually.
- My flowers are watered every day. - My flowers are watered every day.
As a rule, a passive voice is applied in cases where an action or phenomenon is more important than the performer. If it is necessary to specify the executor or means or instrument of action, the prepositions by and with are used . Translated into Russian using the instrumental case.
- This bread is baked by me. - This bread is baked by me.
- This picture is painted with special brush. - This picture is painted with a special brush.
Use cases Present Simple with examples
The present indefinite time is a very multifaceted subject. The grammatical structure is quite simple to understand, but the scope of this temporal form should be considered in more detail.
There are rules in which cases Present Indefinite is used:
- Well-known facts, laws of nature, irrefutable truths.
- Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. - Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- Most of birds fly away to warm lands for the winter. - Most birds fly away to the warm regions for the winter.
- Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe. - Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe.
- Phenomena that are to some extent constant or change slowly.
- I'm 20 years old. - I am 20 years old.
- Ann is flute player. - Anna plays the flute. - Phenomena and events that regularly recur.
- She runs every morning in the park. - She runs every morning in the park.
- I read detective stories every day. “I read detective stories every day.” - A series of actions following one after another. Such words are often used: at the beginning (at first, at the start, at the beginning), then, then (then, further), after (after, next).
- At first she comes to the office, looks through the new letters and then begins to work. - First she comes to the office, looks at new letters, and then she starts to work. - In the subordinate part of the sentence (condition or time). The following words are used: if (if), before (before before), when (when).
- If I find that interesting book, I'll give it to you. “If I find that interesting book, I will give it to you.” - Quite often, the use of Present Simple can be found in the description of upcoming events related to the future. Mostly, when it comes to the upcoming single event, planned in advance. In this case, words indicating the future time are used, such as tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week), in a week (this week). Also often in such sentences verbs of movement are used.
- My friend comes next month. - My friend is coming next month.
In Russian there is an analogue of a similar design. For example: "My sister Anna is leaving tomorrow night." - A description of the actions or phenomena occurring at the time of the narrative, using verbs that are not used in Continuous. These include words that describe the emotional state (like - to like, prefer - to give preference, wish - to wish), the thought process (recognize - to recognize, know - to know), attitude, possession (belong - to belong, posses - to possess), feelings ( see - see, smell - have a smell to smell). - I see a car in the distance. - I see a car in the distance.
- I understand you. - I understand you.
Comparative characteristics of simple and long present tenses
The use of Present Simple and Present Continuous is one of the most important topics of the English language, since in colloquial speech these temporary forms are found most often. There are certain differences, the essence of which is not always perceptible when translated into Russian.
For example: how to translate the simple phrase "I study"? In English, there are two ways:
- I study. - The use of Present Simple in this case implies the execution of the action in general. Perhaps the speaker tells that he is getting an education at some educational institution or is working on the study of some issue over a long period of time.
- I am studying. - The sentence is written in Present Continuous, which indicates the implementation of the action at the time of speech. Most likely, the speaker is busy studying right now.
Another of the most frequent cases of consuming a long time is a designation of unusual behavior or condition. For instance:
- He is being kind today. - He behaves very politely today (although usually this behavior is unusual for him).
- Her brother is very kind. - Her brother is very polite (always).
In addition to the rules, pay attention also to the words used at different times. They will help determine the desired shape.
| Present Simple | Present continuous |
- every day, week, month, year -
every day, week, month, year; - usually - usually;
- seldom - rarely;
- rarely - rarely;
- sometimes - sometimes;
- often - often;
- always - always;
- never - never;
- in the morning, afternoon, evening -
morning, afternoon, evening; - at night - at night;
- on Sundays - on Sundays.
| - now - now;
- at the moment - at the moment;
- at present - at present;
- nowadays - nowadays;
- at these days - these days;
- today - today;
- tonight - tonight.
|
Answer Exercises
Any theoretical material should be put into practice. The most effective method is to perform translation exercises from the native language into English. This method of study allows you to identify gaps in knowledge and understand your own flaws. In addition to mastering grammar rules, completing assignments will also help you learn new vocabulary, increase your active vocabulary, and practice writing and speaking. After you have completed numerous exercises, using Present Simple will not cause difficulties.
Task 1: Translate into English.
- Do you believe in God?
- I am wrong?
- When will the festival be held?
- Do you like this city?
Task 2: Insert the missing verb in the desired form (using the word in brackets):
- How often ... your father play tennis? (do). “How often does your father play tennis?”
- The sun ... in the east (rise). - The sun rises in the east.
- She ... from USA tomorrow (come). - She is coming from the USA tomorrow.
- If she needs money, why ... a job? (do, not, get) - If she needs money, why can't she find a job?
- Cats ... mice (catch). - Cats catch mice.
Answer 1:
- Do you believe in God?
- Am i wrong?
- When does the festival take place?
- Do you like this city?
Answer 2:
- does;
- rises
- comes;
- doesn't she get;
- catch
In addition to completing assignments, you can also consolidate the material studied by composing your own sentences, dialogs and texts. Any grammatical theme of the English language, whether it is the use of Past, Present Simple or Continuous, will be better perceived with sufficient lessons with theoretical material and practical study. In addition to understanding and memorization, it is also very important to bring the use of certain lexical units, speech structures and grammatical formulas to automatism.