Present Simple Tense
Your Everyday English Companion
The present simple tense might seem simple, but it's actually a powerhouse for expressing many things in English! Here's a breakdown for Dutch learners, focusing on everyday situations:
1. Facts and Universal Truths:
Just like the saying "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius," the present simple describes things that are generally true or happen all the time. It's like a reliable friend you can always count on.
Voorbeeld (Example): De zon schijnt overdag (The sun shines during the day).
Tip: This tense is perfect for scientific facts, natural phenomena, and general truths.
2. Daily Routines and Habits:
Think of your daily routine: brushing your teeth, having breakfast, going to work. The present simple describes these regular actions you do without much thought.
Voorbeeld: Ik eet elke ochtend yoghurt (I eat yogurt every morning).
Tip: Use adverbs like "altijd" (always), "vaak" (often), "soms" (sometimes), or never" (nooit) to show how often you do something.
3. Permanent Situations:
Some things, like where you live or your job, are (hopefully!) more permanent. The present simple reflects these ongoing situations.
Voorbeeld: Waar woon je? (Where do you live?)
Tip: This tense is useful for describing your current job, school, or living situation.
4. Short Actions with Big Impact:
Imagine watching a football match. The present simple can be used for those quick, exciting moments that happen right now, like a player scoring a goal!
Voorbeeld: Hij schiet, hij scoort! (He shoots, he scores!) [This is more common in spoken English, especially sports commentary]
Tip: This usage is less common in everyday conversation, but it's good to know for understanding these situations.
Remember, the present simple is your friend for talking about facts, routines, and ongoing situations in clear, concise English.
Instructions
Choose the correct answer for each of the following questions about the present simple tense.
1. What do verb tenses show?
a) The subject of the sentence
b) The time that an action takes place
c) The object of the sentence
d) The location of the action
2. Which verb tense is used for repeated actions?
a) Simple Present
b) Past Perfect
c) Future Continuous
d) Present Perfect
3. What is an example of a repeated action in the simple present tense?
a) I ate breakfast every day.
b) I will read in bed every night.
c) I am studying after school.
d) I eat breakfast every day.
4. Which form of the verb is used with subject pronouns "I, you, we, or they"?
a) Verb + s
b) Base verb
c) Past participle
d) Future tense
5. Complete the sentence: "I walk to school ________."
a) every day
b) yesterday
c) next week
d) in the evening
6. Which form of the verb is used with subject pronouns "he, she, or it"?
a) Verb + s
b) Base verb
c) Past participle
d) Future tense
7. Complete the sentence: "He reads the newspaper ________."
a) every day
b) yesterday
c) next week
d) in the evening
8. Which form of the verb is used with plural subject nouns?
a) Verb + s
b) Base verb
c) Past participle
d) Future tense
9. Complete the sentence: "The students take the bus ________."
a) every day
b) yesterday
c) next week
d) in the evening
10. Which form of the verb is used with singular subject nouns?
a) Verb + s
b) Base verb
c) Past participle
d) Future tense
11. Complete the sentence: "The student walks to school ________."
a) every day
b) yesterday
c) next week
d) in the evening
12. Which form of the verb is used with non-count subject nouns?
a) Verb + s
b) Base verb
c) Past participle
d) Future tense
13. Complete the sentence: "Snow falls from the sky ________."
a) every day
b) yesterday
c) next week
d) in the evening
14. What is an example of a non-count subject noun in the simple present tense?
a) The students take the bus to school.
b) My dog always sleeps on my bed.
c) Snow falls from the sky in winter.
d) I eat breakfast every day.
15. True or False: Verb tenses show the location of an action.
a) True
b) False
16. True or False: The simple present tense is used for one-time actions.
a) True
b) False
17. True or False: The simple present tense is used for actions happening in the future.
a) True
b) False
18. True or False: We use a base verb when the subject pronoun is "he, she, or it".
a) True
b) False
19. True or False: The verb form "eats" is used with the subject noun "students".
a) True
b) False
20. True or False: The verb form "study" is used with the subject pronoun "we".
a) True
b) False
Answer Key
Answer Key
Correct answers:
. b) The time that an action takes place
. a) Simple Present
. d) I eat breakfast every day.
. b) Base verb
. a) every day
. a) Verb + s
. a) every day
. b) Base verb
. a) every day
. a) Verb + s
. a) every day
. a) Verb + s
. c) next week
. c) Snow falls from the sky in winter.
. b) False
. b) False
. b) False
a) True
b) False
Instructions
Choose the correct answer for each of the following questions about the present simple tense.
Questions
Which sentence correctly uses the present simple tense?
A) She are playing in the park.
B) She plays in the park.
C) She will play in the park.
D) She was playing in the park.
Select the sentence that is in the present simple tense.
A) They were eating dinner.
B) They eat dinner at 7 PM every day.
C) They have eaten dinner.
D) They will eat dinner later.
Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of the present simple tense?
A) I am reading a book.
B) I read a book every night.
C) I will read a book.
D) I was reading a book.
Identify the sentence that is in the present simple tense.
A) He is running fast.
B) He runs fast.
C) He will run fast.
D) He has run fast.
Which sentence is an example of the present simple tense?
A) She has been cooking.
B) She cooks dinner every night.
C) She will cook dinner.
D) She was cooking dinner.
Choose the correct present simple tense sentence.
A) We are going to the market.
B) We go to the market every Sunday.
C) We went to the market.
D) We have gone to the market.
Which sentence correctly uses the present simple tense?
A) They are studying for the test.
B) They study for the test every week.
C) They will study for the test.
D) They have studied for the test.
Identify the correct present simple tense sentence.
A) I am writing a letter.
B) I write letters to my friend.
C) I wrote a letter.
D) I will write a letter.
Select the sentence that correctly uses the present simple tense.
A) She has been reading.
B) She reads books every afternoon.
C) She is reading a book.
D) She will read a book.
Which of the following sentences is in the present simple tense?
A) He was playing football.
B) He plays football every weekend.
C) He will play football.
D) He has played football.
Answer Key
Answer Key
B) She plays in the park.
B) They eat dinner at 7 PM every day.
B) I read a book every night.
B) He runs fast.
B) She cooks dinner every night.
B) We go to the market every Sunday.
B) They study for the test every week.
B) I write letters to my friend.
B) She reads books every afternoon.
B) He plays football every weekend.
