Present Indefinite Tense & How to Use It, With Example

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Present Indefinite Tense

Present Indefinite Tense With Explanation, Rules In the Form of Flow Chart

In the English language, tense is used to represent the time of an action. Among the 12 English tenses, the present indefinite tense is used to talk about what is happening in the current time. Also, the present indefinite tense is like the unsung hero of language, quietly making our sentences work without drawing too much attention.


In this article, you will learn the definition, structure, and rules of usage, along with examples of present tense.

What is the Present Indefinite Tense?

Present indefinite tense can be defined as the action that is done in the present, however there’s no definite time limit given to it being accomplished.

Note: In this tense, we usually use 1st form verbs, but in assertive / simple sentences we use “s/es” at the end of the verb with singular nouns (He, She, It) and singular name. Also, we don’t use “s/es” in negative, interrogative, and interrogative & negative sentences, because in these sentences we use helping verbs (Do, Does).

  1. We use “es” with those forms of verbs ending with these spelling “s, ss, sh, ch, x, and o. For Example: 1. Catch — Catches, 2. Go — Goes, 3. Mix — Mixes.
  2. Otherwise, we use “s” in all types of forms of verbs or regular verbs. For Example: 1. Work — Works, 2. Play — Plays, 3. Drink — Drinks.
  3. Dose: We use it with singular subject (He, She, It, singular name).
  4. Do: We use it with a  plural subject (They, You, We, plural name).

Use in Sentence:

  • They waste their time. (Assertive / Simple Sentence)
  • He does not work very hard. (Negative Sentence)
  • Do you ring the bell? (Interrogative Sentence)
  • Does she not write a letter? (Interrogative & Negative Sentence)

Sub-categories of Sentences

The present indefinite tense has been divided into 4 subcategories of sentences.

  • Assertive / Simple Sentence
  • Negative Sentence
  • Interrogative Sentence
  • Interrogative & Negative Sentence

Now, let’s start to discuss these subcategories of sentences.

1. Assertive / Simple Sentence

Assertive / simple sentence contains at least one subject, form of verb, and object. On the other hand, we can say that those sentences which start with a subject are called simple or assertive sentences.

Note: This kind of sentence, we usually use 1st form of verb or sometimes use s/es with 1st form of verb.

  1. We use “s/es” at the end of the verb with singular nouns or subjects (He, She, It, and singular name). 
  2. Also, we don’t use “s/es” at the end of the verb with plural nouns or subjects (I, They, You, We, and Plural names).

Use in Sentence:

  • He goes to school on time. (Use “es” with singular noun)
  • We pack the luggage quickly. (Don’t use “s/es” with plural noun)
  • She always blows her own trumpet. (Use “s” with singular noun)
  • You go to bed late. (Don’t use “s/es” with plural noun)

2. Negative Sentence

Those sentences in which we use “not” or in which we do to refuse about something are said to be negative sentences. Also, to make negative sentences, we use “not” before the verb.

Note: In this kind of sentence, we use Helping Verb (Do not, Does not) + 1st form of verb. Also, we don’t use “s/es” with singular nouns or single name, because we use “does not” with singular nouns or single names.

  1. Does not: We use it with singular subjects or nouns (He, She, It, singular name).
  2. Do not: We use it with plural subjects or nouns(I, They, You, We, plural name).

Use in Sentence:

  • He does not tell a lie. (Use with singular noun)
  • The castles do not graze in the field. (Use with plural noun)
  • My father does not deal in salts. (Use with singular noun)
  • They do not respect their elders. (Use with plural noun)

3. Interrogative Sentence

Those sentences in which you ask something from people, friends, relatives, and even anybody or do ask a question to someone, so these sentences are said to be interrogative sentences. Also, to make interrogative sentences, we use helping verbs (Do, Does) at the beginning of the sentence.

Note: In this kind of sentence, we use helping verbs (Do, Does) at the beginning of sentence, 1st form verbs, and question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.

  1. Does: We use it with singular subjects or nouns (He, She, It, singular name).
  2. Do: We use it with plural subjects or nouns(I, They, You, We, plural name).

Use in Sentence:

  • Do you ring the bell? (Use with plural noun)
  • Does the child to suck the thumb? (Use with singular noun)
  • Do the stars twinkle at the sky? (Use with plural noun)
  • Does she pluck flowers? (Use with singular noun)

4. Interrogative & Negative Sentence

Those sentences in which we ask questions with not or refuse from anyone, these sentences are called interrogative & negative sentences. Also, to make negative & interrogative sentence, we use helping verbs (Do, Does) at the beginning of sentence, (not) before 1st form verbs, and question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.

Note: In this kind of sentence, we use helping verbs (Do, Does), not, 1st form verbs, and question mark (?).

  1. Does: We use it with singular subjects or nouns (He, She, It, singular name).
  2. Do: We use it with plural subjects or nouns(I, They, You, We, plural name).

Use in Sentence:

  • Does he not listen to me? (Use with singular noun)
  • Do the farmers not work in the fields? (Use with plural noun)
  • Does this shopkeeper not sell unripe fruits? (Use with singular noun)
  • Do they not tease me? (Use with plural noun)

Structure of Sub-categories of Sentences

Also, take a look at the following table to understand how the general format in which the present indefinite tense behaves in the assertive/ simple, negative, interrogative, and Interrogative & Negative format.

Name of SentenceMaking Sentence RuleExample Sentence
Assertive / Simple SentenceSubject + 1st form of verb or s/es + object.
Note: Addition of s/es singular subject (He, She, It, and single person name)		The boys laugh at their friends.
Note: Don’t use “s/es” because “the boys” are not single person.
Negative SentenceSubject + Helping Verb(Do not, Does not) + 1st form of verb + object.She does not wash the clothes.
Interrogative SentenceHelping Verb (Do, Dose) +Subject + 1st form of verb + object + ?Do they shirk from reading?
Interrogative & Negative SentenceHelping verb (Do, Dose) + Subject + 1st form of verb + object + ?Does he not look educated?

Uses of Present Indefinite Tense

There’re 7 reasons or places where this kind of present tense is used which are given below.

  • To express a habit or repeated action. For Example: 1. I always speak the truth. 2. They usually sit at the back of the class.
  • To express facts and general truth. For Example: 1. Water keeps its level. 2. Honey tastes sweet.
  • To express what is actually taking place at the present moment. For Example: 1. Here comes the traitor. 2. The child runs.
  • To describe past events in order to make the description seem more vivid and real. (This’s also called the historic present). For Example: 1. The Indian Army now advances, and the bloody battle commences.
  • To express some future action about which a decision has been taken. For Example: 1. I go to school next month. 2. The president leaves for London tomorrow.
  • To quote authors whether living or dead. For Example: 1. Shakespeare says. 2. Milton says in paradise lost.
  • In subordinate clauses of time or condition expressing a future action. For Example: 1. You shall never enter this house as long as I live in it. 2. When the lecturer calls my name, will you tell him I am ill?

FAQs

We use “es” with those forms of verbs ending with these spelling “s, ss, sh, ch, x, and o. For Example:

  1. Catch — Catches
  2. Go — Goes
  3. Mix — Mixes
  4. Press — Presses
  5. Push — Pushes

Yes, of course, it’s not difficult to make negative sentences of present indefinite tense. Only keep in your mind the rule or structure of negative sentences which we give to you here. Subject + Helping Verb(Do not, Does not) + 1st form of verb + object.

In the assertive or simple sentences of present indefinite tense, we use “s/es” with singular subjects or nouns (He, She, It, single name)

Conclusion

It’s the backbone of everyday communication, adding rhythm and structure to our conversations. So next time you’re chatting away or writing that killer essay, remember the power of the present indefinite tense. It’s the glue that holds our words together, making our language dance and sing with effortless grace.


In short, we can say that this tense is used to describe verb forms in many languages used for actions that recently happened. Also, if you’ve faced any confusion while reading this article, you can contact us through the comment box. We’ll try our best to overcome your confusion in a short interval of time, so that you may understand them better. Also, thanks a lot from the depth of the heart for reading this article.

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