Simple Present – Grammar & Verb Tenses

Summary

The video script from ESL Library explains the simple present verb tense, which is used for repeated actions occurring regularly. It outlines the two forms of simple present verbs: base verb for plural subjects and subjects like 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' 'they'; and verb + s for singular subjects like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' and non-count nouns. Examples are provided for clarity, and viewers are encouraged to practice forming sentences.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The simple present tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly or repeatedly.
• 🍞 Examples of repeated actions include eating breakfast daily, reading in bed every night, and studying after school.
• 📚 There are two forms of simple present verbs: base verb and verb with an added 's'.
• 👥 The choice between base verb and verb + s depends on the subject pronoun or noun.
• 🚶‍♂️ Use the base verb with subject pronouns like 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they', and with plural nouns.
• 📰 Use verb + s with subject pronouns 'he', 'she', 'it', and with singular nouns.
• 🌨️ Non-count nouns also take verb + s, as seen with 'Snow falls' and 'My hair grows'.
• 📸 The script encourages looking at a picture to create a simple present sentence, like 'She drinks coffee every day'.
• 📝 Practice is encouraged with the prompt 'Now you try!' to reinforce learning.
• 🌐 The video is from ESL Library, a resource for English language learners, as indicated by the website at the end.

Q & A

What is a verb tense?

A verb tense shows the time that an action takes place.

What is the simple present tense used for?

The simple present tense is used for repeated actions that happen over and over again.

Can you give an example of a repeated action in the simple present tense?

An example is: 'I eat breakfast every day.'

How do simple present verbs change based on the subject?

Simple present verbs have two forms: base verb and verb + s. The form used depends on the subject of the sentence.

When do we use the base form of a verb in the simple present tense?

We use the base form when the subject pronoun is 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they', or when the subject noun is plural.

When do we add 's' to the verb in the simple present tense?

We add 's' when the subject pronoun is 'he', 'she', or 'it', or when the subject noun is singular or non-count.

Can you provide an example of a sentence using a base verb in the simple present tense?

An example is: 'We sometimes eat dessert.'

Can you provide an example of a sentence using a verb + s in the simple present tense?

An example is: 'She takes the bus to work in the morning.'

What is a non-count noun, and how does it affect verb conjugation in the simple present tense?

A non-count noun refers to something that cannot be counted (e.g., 'snow'). In the simple present tense, we add 's' to the verb when the subject is a non-count noun. For example, 'Snow falls from the sky in winter.'

How can learners practice forming sentences in the simple present tense?

Learners can look at a picture and try to say or write a simple present sentence, such as 'She drinks coffee every day.'