This is the first post in my newest segment, "A Tense Situation", which delves into the exciting world of the English verb system. We'll take a look at how English gets away with having essentially only two tenses (past and present) by reviewing all the variations thereof (hint: loads of participle constructions). Let's start at the top with the SIMPLE PRESENT.
Tense illustrates the relation between the verb and the time-frame, which is reflected in the form of the verb.
What is the Simple Present?
The Simple Present is used to describe habits, unchanging situations, general truths, and fixed arrangements.
Here are some examples:
Habits: I play tennis in my free time.
Unchanging situation: Do you work in Oslo?
General Truth: The Earth is a planet
Instructions: You walk straight for 2 blocks and turn left.
Fixed Arrangements: Doesn't work start at 08:00 tomorrow?
Future Time (+conjunctions after, when, before, as soon as, until): Will I see you before I leave?
Sentence Type Formations
Now let's break down how this tense is used in the four sentence types of the English language.
Affirmative
Usage: a statement in which the verb is used to positively
Formation: base form unchanged (or) 3rd person singular with changed ending -s/-es/-y>-ies
I think I like you
These roses smell lovely.
She flies planes on Sundays
Negative
Usage: a statement in which the verb is negated
Formation: 3rd person of the auxiliary "to do" + not + the base of the verb
I do not think / I don't think I like daisies
He does not believe / he doesn't believe what I'm saying, but it's the truth
Interrogative
Usage: a question in which the verb is used positively
Formation: 3rd person of the auxiliary "to do" + the base of the verb
Do I look cute in this shirt?
Does he like me?
Do you see me over here?
Interrogative Negative
Usage: a question in which the verb is negated
Formation: 3rd person of the auxiliary "to do" + not + the base of the verb
Don't you think he's strange?
Doesn't the weather bother you?
Comments