I) THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE-- CHAPTER 1 : VERB TENSES

CHAPTER 1 :

VERB TENSES

AN OVERVIEW OF ENGLISH VERB TENSES FOLLOWS IN CHARTS 1-1 THROUGH 1-5. The diagram shown below will be used in the tense descriptions:



1-1 ) THE SIMPLE TENSES :



I) THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE



TENSE EXAMPLES MEANING



(a) It snows in Alaska.
(b) I watch television every day. In general, the simple present expresses events or situations that exist always, usually, habitually; they exist now, have existed in the past, and probably will exist in the future.



INTRODUCTION:

All verbs (except be) have one form for all persons except the third person singular. The third person singular is usually formed by adding –s to the simple, or bare infinitive form. After –ch, -s, -sh, -z and –x , es is added. Do and Go also form the third person by adding –es. Words ending in –y proceeded by a consonant take the –es ending after changing –y to –i. Notice that the third person singular form of have is has…Examples:




Write Fix Try Go Be Have
I Write Fix Try Go Am Have
You Write Fix Try Go Are Have
He/She/It Writes Fixes Tries Goes Is Has
We Write Fix Try Go Are Have
They Write Fix Try Go Are Have




THE USES OF THE PRESENT TENSE ARE:


1) To express a condition that exists at the moment of speaking and may continue for a short time…Examples:
- He is sick.
- They are angry.
- We are here.
- She seems happy about the news.





2) To express a general truth…Examples:
- The sun rises from the East and sets in the west.
- The earth revolves around the sun.


3) To express the idea that an activity or capability existed before the moment of speaking, exists at the moment of speaking, and may continue for an indefinite time…Examples:
- He lives on Wilson street.
- She speaks fluent English.
- My mother bakes wonderful pies..


4) To express a customary or a habitual action. Adverbs of frequency (often, usually, frequently….) are often used to help express this concept of time…Examples:
- He often goes to the movies.
- I usually take the bus to work.
- I sometimes sleep late on Sunday.


5) To express future time. You will notice that adverbs indicating time are usually used in this construction. It is usually used with scheduling…Examples:
- There is a meeting next week
- He leaves for Europe next week.
- The movie starts at night