Identify TenseWrite your sentence and find its tense On this page you will learn about present indefinite tense from A to Z with PDF downloadable lecture.
If you come across the word simple present tense there is absolutely no need to confuse, keeping in mind, it is the other name for the same tense. This page encompasses about everything you need to know about this tense. We shall cover from the simple definition and sentence conversions to high-level grammatical concepts of present indefinite. Our sole purpose is to make students of English grammar, especially average ones, understand the deeper concepts of this tense (and grammar at large) piecemeal. In order to accommodate the beginners who didn’t so far come out of their regional language, so we have also introduced Urdu guide. They can download the guide and get through this topic rather more easily because of their lack of understanding English. So, whatever is your understanding level you will feel more convenient here, and once you have gone through this page we can assure that you will end up with clarity of mind regarding your concepts of present indefinite tense. So feel free and go through this page to the end. Present indefinite tense in PDFTable of contents
Definition of present indefinite tenseKeep in mind that the tense is present indefinite.
That means it talks in present time situation. And the word indefinite stands for the static situation of the verb used in it. It means verbal action extends beyond the moment of utterance. for more information see simple present. Let me explain this with an example. Example of indefiniteFor example if we say; “He lives in London.” We said this in the present time situation. We mean to say that he is, in fact, living in London at this time. Other way round this sentence also implies that he had been living in London for indefinite time of past. Since this past is indefinite and this sentence doesn’t through light for how long he had been living in London. Therefore it is on account of this property of the tense that we call it indefinite. Now concentrate on the following more examples: They give present time situation and at the same time they also reflect indefinite past. Watch the video on Indefinite tensesStructure of Present Indefinite tensePresent indefinite tense is different from other tenses in one respect. It does not use auxiliary verb (do, does) in simple affirmative sentences unless they become emphatic (the examples of sentences with emphasis). Here the sentence is quite simple. The structure of the sentence is; subject, verb and object, whereas in the negative and interrogative sentences it shall be subject, auxiliary, verb and object. We have explained everything on this page and below you shall see the further details.
FormulaThe formula for present indefinite tense is as follows. We are giving it because it makes things easier to understand. Form of the verbIn present indefinite we use present form. Some people, in South Asian countries, would call it as 1st form of the verb (go, write, get etc). Here one thing is important that you will not use present form with all the subjects. If the subjects are 3rd person singular pronouns then we have to use 3rd person singular form of the verb (goes, writes, gets etc). The following example shall be more helpful to understand this thing: Present Indefinite Examples of present formRead the examples the italicized words are verbs. Present Indefinite Examples of 3rd person singular formRead the examples the italicized words are verbs. Auxiliary / helping verb in present indefinite tenseNow you understand the form of the verb and it’s time to tell you about auxiliary verbs in present indefinite tense. Auxiliary verb is also called helping verb and operator. Do or does are used as auxiliary verbs in present indefinite tense. Remember, with 3rd person singular subjects we have to use does, whereas in all other cases do shall be used. From the following examples you will get this point. Examples of do as auxiliary verb • Do you understand what he is talking about? Example of does as auxiliary verb • He does not understand English. Now it would be quite clear how we use auxiliary verbs in present indefinite tense. Now let’s go to the concept of negation. NegationsNegation means converting any sentence into negative. That simply means the use of NOT in your sentence. When you convert any sentence of present indefinite tense into negative you will have to use “not” in combination with auxiliary verbs (do not or doest not). It would rather be a better idea if you make the word not a part of auxiliary like; don’t and doesn’t. Now see the following examples. Examples of negation in present indefinite • He doesn’t feel well. Or he does not feel well.
Present indefinite sentences with emphasisAs we have told you that auxiliaries in present indefinite tense are used only in negative and interrogative sentences. But sometimes it can also be used in simple affirmative sentences and that makes the sentence an emphasis. Now look at the following examples to make this concept easier to understand. Read the following two sentences. But in the second sentence the speaker puts emphasis upon his reading a book. That means speaker gives extra focus on verbal action (read). Suppose you attend your English classes daily what would you say; “I attend English classes daily.” But if someone pointlessly disagrees with you then your sentence must be having emphasis. Now your sentence shall be “ I do attend English classes daily.” Hopefully now you have got the point. Static and dynamic situation in present indefinite tensesVerb in present indefinite tense have two characteristics; static and dynamic situations. Static is the situation in which verbal action extends beyond the moment of utterance. For example “He runs shop.” Dynamic situation, on the other hand, is the situation in which verbal action doesn’t extend beyond the moment of utterance. Verbal action doesn’t prevail the moment the sentence is uttered. For example, “He finds a relic.” Dynamic situations are used in the commentaries of matches. Convert present indefinite tense into passive voiceIn case you want to convert present indefinite tense into passive
voice you have to make the following changes in a sentence: The examples of passive voice • Active voice: He reads newspaper. Frequently asked questionsPeople generally ask the following questions: What is present indefinite tense with examples?Present indefinite tense gives the indefinite (static) verbal action in present time situation. For example: “He digs potatoes.”, “They take lunch.”, “I feel good.” For more information go to Definition of present indefinite tense. What are the rules of present indefinite tense? The rules of present indefinite tense are as follows; Use 3rd person singular form (finds) with he, she, it, and
singular noun. How many types of present indefinite tense are there?There are two types of present indefinite tense. One is with dynamic verbal situation and the other is static verbal action. For more information please visit Static and dynamic situation in present indefinite tenses. What is present simple tense with examples? Present simple tense is the other name of present indefinite
tense. Examples are; How do you form the present indefinite tense?When you use 3rd person singular form (with 3rd person singular pronouns as subject) and present form with all other subjects and do or does as auxiliaries it shall be present indefinite tense. What is the formula of past indefinite tense?In past indefinite tense we use did as auxiliary and past form with simple affirmative and present form with negative and interrogative sentence. Generally if you see the word did or past form in any sentence it would only be past indefinite tense. What is the meaning of indefinite?Indefinite means not specified. The verbal action in indefinite tenses are not specified with respect to time for example if we say. “He lives in London.” The word lives equally extends in the indefinite past. Therefore it is indefinite. Why present indefinite tense is called indefinite?It is on account of the fact that present form here doesn’t only talk of current situation. This thing equally reflects the indefinite past for example if we say, “She wears round glasses.” That also means she is used to with wearing the round glasses. Therefore this sentence equally extends in the past. This is also called static situation. For more information visit static and dynamic situations. ConclusionAfter the thorough discussion on indefinite tense we have come to conclusion that it is the tense which uses do or does as auxiliaries, and present or 3rd person singular form. We also learnt that this tense can show emphasis on verbal action by using auxiliaries in affirmative sentences which are not used otherwise. This sentence is called indefinite on account of static property of verbal action which equally extends in indefinite past. Hope that now you have completely learnt present indefinite
tense and you won’t have any confusion in future. |