Present indefinite tense from A to Z with PDF

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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 PDF

Present indefinite tense Urdu pdf

Table of contents

Definition of present indefinite tense

Keep 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 indefinite

For 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:
• He uses branded products.
• She wears glasses.
• They work efficiently.
• He behaves gently.
Now you probably know that the above sentences talk about the verbal action that has two properties at the same time.

They give present time situation and at the same time they also reflect indefinite past.

Watch the video on Indefinite tenses


Structure of Present Indefinite tense

present indefinite tense structure

Present 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.

Formula

The formula for present indefinite tense is as follows.

We are giving it because it makes things easier to understand.
Affirmative sentence: subject + verb + object (She sings a song)
Negative sentence: subject + auxiliary + not + verb + object (he doesn’t speak to me.)
Interrogative: auxiliary + subject + verb + object (Do they favour your?)
Emphasis: subject + auxiliary + verb + object (I do attend the English class.)

Form of the verb

In 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 form

Read the examples the italicized words are verbs.
• They come up to my expectations.
• Boys play cricket.
• I walk every day.

Present Indefinite Examples of 3rd person singular form

Read the examples the italicized words are verbs.
• He participates in co curricular activities.
• Hamlet understands Claudius’ intentions.
• It rains heavily.

Auxiliary / helping verb in present indefinite tense

Now 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?
• They do not / don’t take it seriously.
• Do we get your point?

Example of does as auxiliary verb

• He does not understand English.
• Does it hurt?
• Emily does not come out of depression.

Now it would be quite clear how we use auxiliary verbs in present indefinite tense.

Now let’s go to the concept of negation.

Negations

Negation 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.
• They don’t take classes. Or They do not take classes.
• You don’t miss any opportunity. Or You do not miss any opportunity.

Present indefinite sentences with emphasis

As 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.
• He reads a book.
• He does read a book.
In the first example there is simple expression of the fact regarding reading a book in present time situation.

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 tenses

Verb 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 voice

In case you want to convert present indefinite tense into passive voice you have to make the following changes in a sentence:
1. Subject is changed into object
2. Object is changed into subject
3. Use past participle form of the verb
4. Use the auxiliaries of present continuous tense
5. Use by

The examples of passive voice

• Active voice: He reads newspaper.
Passive voice: Newspaper is read by him.
• Active voice: They break the rules.
Passive voice: The rules are broken by them

Frequently asked questions

People 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 present form of the verb (find) with I, we, you, they and plural nouns when used as subject.

Use 3rd person singular form (finds) with he, she, it, and singular noun.
If you want to put emphasis on verbal action use auxiliaries (do or does) in affirmative sentence otherwise auxiliaries are not used unless the sentence is either negative or interrogative.

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;
He finds the solution.
He hits the ball.
I ride on a bike.
They watch movie.

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.

Conclusion

After 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.