English Tenses : Simple Present

 

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.


Simple Present Form

(i) be

Use:

• am with the personal pronoun II
• is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or with the singular form of nouns)
• are with the personal pronouns we, you or they (or with the plural form of nouns)

example: I am hungry.

	affirmative	negative	question
I	I am.	I am not.	Am I?
he/she/it	He is.	He is not.	Is he?
you/we/they	You are.	You are not.	Are you?

(ii) have

Use:

• have with the personal pronouns I, you, we und they (or with the plural form of nouns)
• has with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

example: I have a dog. / I have got a dog.

'have got' is mainly used in British English. You can also use 'have' on its own (especially in American English). In this case, however, you must form negative sentences and questions with the auxiliary verb 'do' (see 'All other verbs').

	positive	negative	question
I/you/we/they	I have got. / I have.	I have not got. / I do not have.	Have I got? / Do I have?
he/she/it	He has got. / He has.	He has not got. / He does not have.	Has he got? / Does he have?

(iii) All other verbs

Use:

• the infinite verb (play) with the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or with the plural form of nouns)
• the verb + s (plays) with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

credit : http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simple-present/form