Simple Present ESL Worksheets

ESL students learning the simple present tense will find these worksheets helpful in practicing their language skills. These worksheets provide a variety of exercises focused on the entity and subject of the sentence, allowing students to better understand and apply this basic grammar concept in their writing and speaking.

  Present Simple Conversation Cards

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  PRESENT SIMPLE or PRESENT CONTINUOUS

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  Simple Present Tense Verbs

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  Free Printable Reading Comprehension Worksheets

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  Free Printable Grammar Worksheets

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  Action Verbs ESL Games

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  Singular and Plural Worksheets for Grade 1

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  Free Printable Adult Icebreaker Worksheets

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  Scrambled Sentences Worksheets 2nd Grade

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  Kindergarten Grade Reading Worksheets

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What is the simple present tense used for?

The simple present tense is used to describe actions that are habitual, routine, or factual. It is also used for general truths, scientific facts, and to narrate stories or events that are happening in the present moment.

How do you form a sentence in the simple present tense?

To form a sentence in the simple present tense, you typically use the base form of the verb (infinitive) without any changes for the subject, except for third-person singular subjects where you add an "s" or "es" to the verb. For example, in the sentence "She eats dinner at 7 PM," "eats" is the verb in simple present tense, and "she" is the third-person singular subject that requires the verb to have an "s" added to it.

What is the difference between regular and irregular verbs in the simple present tense?

The main difference between regular and irregular verbs in the simple present tense is how they form their endings. Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern by adding "-s" or "-es" to the base form of the verb when conjugated in the third-person singular form. In contrast, irregular verbs do not follow this pattern and have unique conjugation forms for each tense and subject pronoun.

How do you make negative sentences in the simple present tense?

To make negative sentences in the simple present tense, you typically add the word "do not" (don't) or "does not" (doesn't) before the base form of the main verb. For example, in the sentence "She plays the piano," the negative form would be "She doesn't play the piano." This construction helps to indicate that the action is not happening in the present.

How do you make questions in the simple present tense?

To form questions in the simple present tense, invert the subject and the auxiliary verb "do." For example, "He runs every morning" becomes "Does he run every morning?" if it's a yes/no question. If it's a question with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how), place the question word at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the inverted subject and auxiliary verb "do." For example, "She reads books" becomes "What does she read?

When do you use the third-person singular form in the simple present tense?

You use the third-person singular form in the simple present tense when referring to a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it, a name) and adding an -s or -es to the base form of the verb. For example, "He reads books every day" or "She goes to the gym in the morning.

What are some common time expressions used with the simple present tense?

Common time expressions used with the simple present tense include: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day, every week, every month, on Mondays, on weekends, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, at night.

What are the common adverbs used with the simple present tense?

Common adverbs used with the simple present tense include frequently, usually, always, often, sometimes, rarely, occasionally, and seldom. These adverbs help to indicate the frequency or regularity of an action or event happening in the present.

What are some common signal words indicating the use of the simple present tense?

Some common signal words that indicate the use of the simple present tense include "always," "often," "usually," "sometimes," "every day," "every week," "every year," and "rarely." These words suggest a habitual or regular action that occurs in the present.

Are there any exceptions or irregularities in the usage of the simple present tense?

Yes, there are exceptions and irregularities in the usage of the simple present tense in English. For example, some verbs have irregular forms in the simple present tense (e.g., "I go" instead of "I goed"), and there are certain verbs that do not follow the typical conjugation patterns (e.g., "I am" for the verb "to be"). Additionally, when forming negative statements or questions in the simple present tense, auxiliary verbs like "do" or "does" are used. It's important to be aware of these exceptions and irregularities when using the simple present tense in English.