Simple Present Tense Voice: Meaning, Rules, & Examples

The simple present tense is a verb tense with two main uses: present or usual actions. In other words, this tense is used in sentences when the action is currently taking place at that moment or when the action takes place regularly. Moreover, the simple present tense voice in English grammar describes facts and habits by prioritising subject and object placement, depending on the speaker’s preference. To know more about this form of voice, continue reading this blog post. 

Must Read: All About Tenses

Simple Present Tense Voice – Definition

As the name suggests, Simple Present Tense is a verb tense which refers to an action that is currently happening or happens regularly. In English vocabulary, it is constructed using the base form of the verb, often with an added “-s” or “-es” for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it). The Simple Present Tense voice can be both active and passive.

Structure of Simple Present Tense Voice

Here is the structure for the simple present tense voice that is to be used in sentences:

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject +Helping Verb (do/does) + Verb + Object	Object + Helping Verb (Is/am/are) + Past Participle (V3) + by + Object
Example: Boy clicks a selfie.	Example: Selfie is clicked by the boy.

Simple Present Tense Voice Rules for Conversion

Here are some basic rules for the simple present tense voice that you must keep in mind while incorporating this into sentences.

Simple Present Positive Voice Rule

Particulars	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Formula	Subject + base form of the verb + object (optional)	Subject + is/are + past participle + (by + agent)
Example	She eats apples.	The house is cleaned by the maid.

Simple Present Negative Voice Rule

Particulars	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Formula	Subject + do/does not + base form of the main verb + (object)	Subject + is/are not + past participle + (by + agent)
Example	She does not like ice cream.	The dishes are not washed by hand.

Simple Present Interrogative Voice Rule

Particulars	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Formula	(Interrogative word) + do/does + subject + base form of the main verb + (object)	Is/Are + subject + past participle + (by + agent) + ?
Example	Do you eat breakfast every morning?	Are the letters delivered by the mailman?

Simple Present Negative Interrogative Voice Rule

Particulars	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Formula	Do/Does + subject + not + base form of the main verb +?	Is/Are + subject + not + past participle + (by + agent) + ?
Example	Does she not like coffee?	Are the dishes not washed by hand?

Simple Present Tense Voice Examples

Following is the list of examples of simple present tense voices which will help you get an idea of how they can be formed.

Simple Present Tense – Active Voice 

I eat breakfast every morning.

She walks to work every day.

They study English at the library.

He plays the guitar in a band.

The train arrives at 8 o’clock.

We brush our teeth twice a day.

She speaks French fluently.

They live in a big house.

He works as a doctor at the hospital.

The dog barks loudly at strangers.

Simple Present Tense – Passive Voice 

The cake is baked by Sarah every Saturday.

The report is submitted by the team leader at the end of each month.

The windows are cleaned by the janitor every evening.

The groceries are bought by my mom every week.

The mail is delivered by the postal worker every morning.

The lawn is mowed by the gardener every Friday.

The dishes are washed by the dishwasher every night.

The clothes are washed by the washing machine twice a week.

The lesson is taught by the teacher every Monday.

The car is parked by the valet service during business hours.

Note that all these sentences show actions or states that happen regularly, facts, habits, or general truths.

Simple Present Voice Exercise

Rewrite the following sentences in the simple present tense.

1. She reads books every day.
2. They play football in the park.
3. He eats lunch at noon.
4. We go to school together.
5. The cat sleeps on the couch.
6. I drink coffee in the morning.
7. They watch movies on weekends.
8. She teaches English at the university.
9. He listens to music while studying.
10. The sun rises in the east.

Check Your Answers

1. She reads books every day.
2. They play football in the park.
3. He eats lunch at noon.
4. We go to school together.
5. The cat sleeps on the couch.
6. I drink coffee in the morning.
7. They watch movies on weekends.
8. She teaches English at the university.
9. He listens to music while studying.
10. The sun rises in the east.

Related Reads

Present Perfect Tense Voice Change Exercises	Interrogative Sentence Voice Change Exercises
25+ Active and Passive Voice Quiz	Active and Passive Voice Rules
5 Voice Change Exercise for Class 8 with Answers	Active and Passive Voice Change Exercises For Class 6

FAQs

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