Present tense – Positive

The simple present tense or present tense is one of the most basic tenses in English. We use present tense to talk about something that is currently going on, something that is habitually performed, or a state that generally or currently exists.

Structural formula:

Subject + verb (s/es) + object.

Examples:

• I feel great!
• Pauline loves pie.
• I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.
• Pauline practices the piano every day.
• Ms. Jackson travels during the summer.
• Hamsters run all night.

In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-person singular (which ends in s).

First-person singular: I write.

Second-person singular: You write.

Third-person singular: He/she/it writes. (Note the s.)

First-person plural: We write.

Second-person plural: You write.

Third-person plural: They write.

For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with es instead of s. Typically, these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.

First-person singular: I go.

Second-person singular: You go.

Third-person singular: He/she/it goes. (Note the es.)

First-person plural: We go.

Second-person plural: You go.

Third-person plural: They go.

The verb to be is irregular:

First-person singular: I am.

Second-person singular: You are.

Third-person singular: He/she/it is.

First-person plural: We are.

Second-person plural: You are.

Third-person plural: They are.

Title: A Visit to the Zoo

Characters:

• Lisa
• Tom

Scene: Lisa and Tom are at the zoo on a sunny day, looking at the animals.

Lisa: (excited) Tom, look at that lion! It’s so big and majestic.

Tom: (enthusiastic) Yes, Lisa, it certainly is. And look at the zebras! They have black and white stripes.

Lisa: (amazed) The elephants are incredible too. They’re so huge!

Tom: (happy) I agree, Lisa. This is such a fun day. What do you think of the monkeys?

Lisa: (cheerful) Oh, I love the monkeys. They are so playful. Look at them swinging on the branches.

Tom: (impressed) It’s fascinating how the giraffes can reach the leaves at the top of the trees with their long necks.

Lisa: (content) I’m having a great time, Tom. I’m glad we came to the zoo today.

Tom: (grateful) Me too, Lisa. This is a wonderful experience.