Simple tenses are the most basic verb forms in English. There are three simple tenses: Present Simple, Past Simple, and Future Simple. Each one uses the base form of the verb but adds different endings or auxiliary words.
- Present Simple describes habits, facts, or general truths.
- Past Simple describes actions that happened and finished in the past.
- Future Simple describes actions that will happen in the future.
Examples
| Tense | Subject | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | I | I walk to school. | Habit or routine |
| Past Simple | I | I walked to school. | Completed past action |
| Future Simple | I | I will walk to school. | Future intention |
Usage
Present Simple
- Use for habits, routines, and facts.
- Use for scheduled events (e.g., The train leaves at 6 pm).
- Use for general truths (e.g., Water boils at 100°C).
Example: She reads* every night.
Past Simple
- Use for actions completed at a specific time in the past.
- Use for a sequence of past events.
- Time expressions like “yesterday,” “last week,” and “two days ago” are common.
Example: They visited* Paris last summer.
Future Simple
- Use for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
- Use for predictions or things you think will happen.
- Use “will” + base verb form.
Example: I will call* you later.
More Examples
| Tense | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Dogs bark. | General truth |
| Present Simple | She works at a bank. | Habit/routine |
| Past Simple | We watched a movie. | Finished past action |
| Past Simple | He did his homework. | Completed past action |
| Future Simple | They will arrive soon. | Future event |
| Future Simple | I will help you. | Offer/decision |
Summary
- Present Simple: habits, facts, general truths
- Past Simple: completed actions in the past
- Future Simple: actions that will happen or are decided on the spot
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
