Introduction
Intro (English): Simple tenses are the backbone of clear communication. This chapter explains Present Simple, Past Simple and Future Simple with timeline diagrams, formation formulas, usage rules, negative & question forms, signal words, exceptions and exam-focused tricks so you remember the entire topic for life.
Core Theorem & Formulas
Theorem: Simple tenses map verb-time relations into three stable categories — Habitual/General (Present Simple), Completed past events (Past Simple), and Future events/decisions (Future Simple). Understanding signal words + verb forms gives deterministic identification.
Formulas:
- Present Simple:
Subject + base verb (add -s/es for 3rd person singular) - Past Simple:
Subject + past form (regular: -ed / irregular: went, ate) - Future Simple:
Subject + will + base verb(orbe going to + base verbfor planned)
Present Simple — Rules, Uses & Signals
Use for: habits (She drinks tea), general truths (Water boils at 100°C), timetables (The train leaves at 9), instructions (You take the first left), and stative verbs (I know her). Signal words: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day.
Form & Exceptions: 3rd person singular adds -s/-es (watch spelling: he goes, she watches). Negative & question use 'do/does' support: "Does he play?" / "He does not play."
Past Simple — Rules, Uses & Signals
Use for completed actions at a specific past time: "She visited London in 2019." Signal words: yesterday, ago, last (week), in 2010. Formation: regular verbs add -ed, irregular verbs vary (make a list of common irregulars).
Negative & Questions: Use 'did' as auxiliary: "Did you go?" / "I did not (didn't) go." Note main verb returns to base form after 'did'.
Future Simple — Rules, Uses & Signals
Use 'will' for spontaneous decisions, promises, predictions without evidence: "I will help." Use 'be going to' for planned actions or when there is evidence: "She is going to travel." Signal words: tomorrow, next week, soon.
Negative & Questions: "Will you come?" / "I will not (won't) come."
Timeline Diagrams & Visual Tests
Embed timeline SVGs: present simple as continuous horizontal line (habitual), past simple as point on past axis, future simple as point on future axis. Visual cues + signal words make tense selection instinctive. Paste inline SVGs into placeholders for crisp diagrams.
Negation & Question Patterns (Quick formulae)
- Present simple negative:
Subject + do/does + not + base verb. - Past simple negative:
Subject + did + not + base verb. - Future simple question:
Will + subject + base verb?
Common Errors & Exam Tricks
- Don't add -ed after 'did' — use base verb: Incorrect: "She did went."
- Watch stative verbs in present simple (they rarely take continuous forms): "I know", not "I am knowing."
- Identify time markers first — they often reveal correct tense.
Solved Examples (8 step-by-step)
- Example 1: Fill: "She ___ (go) to school every day."
Solution: "She goes to school every day." (present simple; habit; 3rd person -s).उपाय: सवयीचे क्रियापद — goes. - Example 2: Change to past: "I write a letter." → ?
Solution: "I wrote a letter." (past simple; irregular verb 'write'→'wrote').उपाय: irregular form लक्षात ठेवावा. - Example 3: Question: "They play football." → ?
Solution: "Do they play football?" (present simple question uses 'do').उपाय: present question साठी 'do' वापरा. - Example 4: Negative past: "He (not/come) yesterday."
Solution: "He did not come yesterday." (did + not + base verb).उपाय: past negative साठी did not + base verb. - Example 5: Future spontaneous: "I (help) you." → ?
Solution: "I will help you." (will for spontaneous promise/decision).उपाय: भावी निर्णयासाठी 'will'. - Example 6: 'Going to' use: "Look at the clouds. It (rain)." → ?
Solution: "It is going to rain." (evidence for future plan).उपाय: दृष्य पुराव्यासाठी 'be going to' वापरा. - Example 7: Time marker trick: "Last week, she ___ (visit) her aunt." → ?
Solution: "Last week, she visited her aunt." (past simple due to 'last week').उपाय: वेळेचा शब्द tense दाखवतो. - Example 8: Signal words: "He often (read) books." → ?
Solution: "He often reads books." (frequency adverb → present simple).उपाय: frequency adverb present दाखवतो.
Practice Questions (+ Summary Table & Answer Key)
20–30 minutes practice: identify tense by timeline, convert sentences, form negatives/questions, and spot errors.
Summary Table (Quick reference)
| Tense | Form | Key uses & signals |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | V / V-s (3rd sg) | Habits, truths — always, often, every day |
| Past Simple | V-ed / irregular | Completed past — yesterday, last, ago |
| Future Simple | will + V / be going to + V | Predictions, promises, plans — tomorrow, next |
Answer Key
- Q1: "They went to market yesterday."
- Q2: "She goes to college every day."
- Q3: "Do you know him?"
- Q4: "I will not (won't) attend the meeting."
- Q5: Error — correct: "She did not go to school."
- Q6: "They are going to move next month."
- Q7: "He always forgets his keys."
- Q8: Correct: "He will not come." or "He won't come."
Exam-focused Tips & SEO Strategy
For exams, spot time markers first, memorise irregular verbs, and practise negative/question patterns. Use natural long-tail keywords in headings (e.g., "simple tenses notes for SSC"), and keep title/meta unique to rsetu.link. JSON-LD for Course/Breadcrumb/FAQ is included to help rich snippets and CTR.
Classroom Example (English + Marathi)
English (teacher explains): "Draw three horizontal timelines (past, present, future). Place example sentences as points or continuous lines. Teach signal words with the timelines — students will pick tense visually in seconds."
Resources & Next steps
Paste inline SVG timelines and I will embed them. I can also add 8 more solved advanced examples, create printable worksheets/flashcards, or run keyword research to generate long-tail keywords and optimized headings for rsetu.link.