Present
1. Simple Present
(also called ‘Present Simple’)
formula: the Present/finite or V1 form of the Main Verb
go/goes — went — gone — going
walk/walks — walked — walked — walking
♦ ‘Simple Present’ is used to express a present regular or habitual action…
e.g. I go to work every day.
We work hard to improve our standards.
Our bank is the largest of all in the town.
♦ ♦ ‘Simple Present’ is used to express a universal truth or an action that is common or natural everywhere and every time…
e.g.
The Sun rises in the East.
The Earth is round. {not a perfect circle, though, but it is a common saying}
Rivers flow into the oceans. {not all the rivers, but it is a common saying}
e.g.
Tippu Sultan was a ruler of a place called Mysore in British India. He revolted against the British. He waged several wars.
These are the historical facts happened in the past (1782 — 1799) but while telling this story in the present time, the ‘simple present’ tense is used to make those facts look more realistic:
Tippu Sultan asks the British to leave his kingdom, but when the British do not listen to him, he revolts against them and wages several wars.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ‘Simple Present’ is used to express a Future action when the activity is cent per cent confirmed…
e.g.
We go to Sydney this summer. [= we have made all arrangements; just waiting for the summer vacation to start]
When the main verb in the introductory clause is in the Present Tense, the main verb in the subordinate clause may be in ANY TENSE that the context requires:
e.g.
He thinks that she is there.
[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause —— ‘is’ — simple present – sub-clause]
He thinks that she was there.
[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause —— ‘was’ — simple past – sub-clause]
He thinks that she will be there.
[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause ——- ‘will be’ – simple future – sub-clause]
More from Verb
Tense: Future Perfect Continuous
Future 4. Future Perfect Continuous formula: will/shall + have + been + the present participle (ing) form of the Main Verb go/goes -- went -- gone …
Tense: Future Perfect
Future 3. Future Perfect formula: will/shall + have + the past participle V3 form of the Main Verb go/goes -- went -- gone -- going walk/walks -- walked -- walked -- walking ♣ ‘Future …
