Chapitre 1: The simple present tense - Anglais Troisième | DigiClass
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The simple present tense

I.  Different forms

A.  Affirmative form

For auxiliaries ( have and be) we use :

  • S(he,she,it) + is + c           
  • S( we, you, they)+ are + c 
  • S(I) + am + C
  • S + have/has + C

EG :

  • Iam a good pupil
  • They are good pupils
  • We have good marks

B.  Negative form

For sentences which do not contain auxiliary verbs we proceed this way :

  1. Subject (I, you, we, they) + do not + Verb 
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ We do not copy the lesson
  1. Subject(he, she, it) + does not + Verb + $\cdots$
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ She does not call me

C.  Interrogative form

For sentences which do not contain auxiliaries we proceed this way:

  1. Do + Subject(I, you, we, they) + Verb + $\cdots$?
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ Do you know Mr SOMA?
  2. Does + Subject(she,it,he) + Verb + $\cdots$?
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ Does it make sense ?

II.  Use and particular rules

A.  Particular rules

  • Verbs ending in $\textbf{''Y''}$ preceded by a consonant change the $\textbf{''y''}$ into $\textbf{''i''+es}$ at the third person singular (he; she; it).
    $\textbf{Eg :}$
    • To carry: Moussa carries his bag.
    • To cry: The baby cries alot.
  • Verbs ending in ''y'' preceeded by a vowel do not change the ''y'' they keep it+s
    $\textbf{Eg :}$
    • To play: Moussa plays football.
    • To buy: Sidiki buys potatoes.
  • Verbs ending in $\textbf{''ss,ch,sh,o,x''}$ take $\textbf{"es"}$ at the third person singular (he; she; it)
    $\textbf{Eg :}$
    • To box : Moussa boxes his neighbour.
    • To go: She goes to school.
    • To miss: She misses the train.
    • To watch: He watches TV.
    • To wash:  Mamou washes her school uniform.

B.  Use

It is generally used to express:

  • Habitual or repetitive actions.
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ I go to school every monday.
  • Permanent situations.
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ we are living in ouagadougou.
  • Or general truth.
    $\textbf{Eg :}$ God exists.