Simple Present(Indefinite)Tense: Definition, Rules, Uses With Examples

Simple Present Tense: Usually when someone asks you about something which is going on in the present then you would respond in the simple present tense. Simple Present tense is related to events, actions, and conditions which is happening in the present right now. The essential functions of Simple present Tense are to state the action which is happening right now and to state the action which happens regularly or unceasingly(that is why Simple Present is sometimes also called Present Indefinite Tense). So, In this article, we will know more about Simple Present Indefinite article)Tense, its definition, its structure, rules, use & examples in detail. 

What is Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense?

The definition given by Cambridge Dictionary is, “The simple present tense is used to refer to events, actions, and conditions that are happening all the time, or exist now.” When the verb defines/denotes an activity that is going on in the present time or is a regular event, then the verb is used in the Simple/Indefinite Present Tense form.

Structure of Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense

The structure of the Simple Present tense can be fundamentally understood by analyzing its three different forms, affirmative or positive, negative, and interrogative sentence. Have a look over the structure in the following table.

Examples of Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense

• Ramesh eats bread and butter before going to school.(रमेश स्कूल जाने से पहले रोटी और मक्खन खाता है।)
• Alisa watches cartoons every day.(अलीसा हर दिन कार्टून देखती हैं।)
• Roopam drinks milk every night before going to bed.(रूपम रोज रात को सोने से पहले दूध पीती हैं)
• Juhi goes to the gym daily.(जूही रोजाना जिम जाती हैं)
• Dipali smokes.(दीपाली धूम्रपान करती है)
• Shilpi reads the newspaper every day.(शिल्पी रोज अखबार पढ़ती है।)

Structure of Sentences in Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense

Simple/Indefinite Present Tense sentences can be in three forms, that is, Positive or Affirmative, Negative, and Interrogative sentences. Below is the structure of all three forms and examples to make you understand better.

Affirmative/Positive Sentence Structure:

Examples of Affirmative/Positive Sentences:

• He writes letter(वह पत्र लिखता है)
• Radhika gets up every day at 6 am(राधिका रोज सुबह 6 बजे उठ जाती हैं)
• She dances well.(वह अच्छा डांस करती है।)

Negative Sentence Structure:

Examples of Negative Sentences:

• The Sun does not set in the east.(सूर्य पूर्व दिशा में अस्त नहीं होता है।)
• All the cars do not stop at this crossing. (इस क्रॉसिंग पर सभी कारें नहीं रुकती हैं।)
• Meena does not teach social studies in a school. (मीना एक स्कूल में सामाजिक अध्ययन नहीं पढ़ाती है।)

Interrogative Sentence Structure:

Examples of Interrogative Sentences: 

• Does the sunset in the east? (क्या सूर्यास्त पूर्व दिशा में होता है?)
• Do all the cars stop at this crossing? (क्या इस क्रॉसिंग पर सभी गाड़ियाँ रुकती हैं?)
• Does Meena teach social studies in a school? (क्या मीना स्कूल में सामाजिक अध्ययन पढ़ाती है?)

Uses of Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense

Some of the uses of Simple Present Tense are-

1. To express a habitual action,

2. To express a general truth,

3. In exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there to express what is actually taking place in the present,

4. In a vivid narrative, as a substitute for Simple Past,

5. To express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable or fixed programs.

In addition to these uses, some of the other uses are-

1. It is used to introduce quotations,

2. It is used instead of the Simple Future Tense, in the clause of time and of condition.

3. As in broadcast commentaries on sporting events, the simple present is used. 

Examples of Uses of Simple Present(Indefinite) Tense

1. To Express a habitual action:

• He drinks tea every morning.(वह रोज सुबह चाय पीता है।)
• I get up every day at five o'clock. (मैं रोज पांच बजे उठता हूं।)
• My watch keeps a good time(मेरी घड़ी एक अच्छा समय रखती है)

2. To Express General Truth:

• The sun rises in the east. (सूरज पूरब में उगता है।)
• Honey is Sweet.(शहद मीठा होता है)
• Fortune favors the brave (भाग्य वीरों को ही सहारा देता है)

3. In Exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there to express what is actually taking place in the present:

• Here comes the bus! (यहाँ बसें आती हैं!)
• There she goes! (वह वहाँ चली जाती है!)

4. In a vivid narrative, as a substitute for the Simple Past:

• Sohrab now rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to Rustam. (सोहराब अब आगे बढ़ता है और रुस्तम को भारी झटका देता है।)
• Immediately the Sultan hurries to his capital. (तुरंत सुल्तान अपनी राजधानी के लिए रवाना होता है।)

5. To express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable or fixed program:

• The next flight is at 7.00 tomorrow morning.(अगली फ्लाइट कल सुबह 7.00 बजे है।)
• The match starts at 9 o'clock. (मैच 9 बजे शुरू होता है।)
• The train leaves at 5.20. (ट्रेन 5.20 बजे निकलती है।)
• When does the coffee house reopen? (कॉफी हाउस कब खुलता है?)

In addition to these uses, they are used,

1. It is used to introduce quotations:

• Keats says, “ A thing of beauty is a joy forever". (कीट्स कहते हैं, "सुंदरता की चीज हमेशा के लिए खुशी है"।)

2. It is used, instead of the Simple Future Tense, in clauses of time and of condition:

• I shall wait till you finish your lunch.(मैं तब तक प्रतीक्षा करूँगा जब तक आप अपना दोपहर का भोजन समाप्त नहीं कर लेते।)
• If it rains we shall get.(अगर बारिश हुई तो हमें मिलेगा।)

Exercise1: 

Exercise2: