Introduction

The present paper focuses on grammar: the usage of present simple tense, present continuous
tense specially on the positive, negative and question form the auxiliar verbs(do, be and have)
and the adverbs of frequency. Therefore, in this paper there are clear examples just to show how
this processes occur in the grammar context.

General objective:

 to know the usage of the grammar specially on the present, continuous tense and the
usage of auxiliary verbs in a sentence.

Specific objective:

 To identify the adverbs of frequency and their usage in the present simple tense sentences
 To describe how does the grammar rules are operated on construction of a sentence
 1. Concept of Simple Present Tense

Among English tenses, the simple present tense is a tense that is frequently used. According to
Pramono (2006, P. 50), simple present expresses daily habit or usual activities, and expresses
general statement of fact, use the simple present tense for a present state, Example: a feeling, an
opinion, or the fact that something belongs to someone. There are many experts who define and
talk about simple present tense in terms of usage and form of simple present tense itself. Simple
present tense or present simple (present simple is a term taken).

According to Murphy (as cited in Siswoyo, 2016, p. 4), grammar is an English form used to talk
about things in general. He adds that the use of the present simple is to talk about things in
general, not just about the present, but also using it to say that something happens all the time or
repeatedly, or something is generally true. It does not matter whether the action occurred while
talking. Another opinion is given by Murthy (2003, p. 76) who said that when the verb is used to
indicate that an action is happening now.

Another statement was also added by Swan (2000, p. 145) who said that when talking about
permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly or all the time (not there now), and
usually use simple gifts. Example: I go to London about three times a week. From this
grammatical definition, it is clear that the present tense is an activity or action carried out by the
subject all the time. That does not mean in a while but anytime and anywhere. According to Azar
(2006, p. 34), simple prizes reveal events or situations that are always there, and commonly use
the Simple Present Tense for repetitive actions such as routines, habits, jobs, hobbies, and things
that always happen.

In English, simple present tense verbs after of third personal pronoun subject will have an
addition of s/es. Typical time expressions with the simple present are always, often, usually,
sometimes, ever/never, every day, every week, once, twice, on Friday, in the morning, at ten
o’clock, etc. Based on the explanation about Simple present tense is tense that are used when an
event is happening right now or an event that happens repeatedly (habit) is done every day.

2.2 Function and Uses of Simple Present Tense

Simple present tense is one several tense which has a function to tell a fact or habitual activity.
According to Azzar (as cited in Listi, 2016, p. 22) the simple present to express general
statements of fact and timeless truths and can be use to express habitual or everyday activity.

The Pattern of Simple Present Tense

One of the ease of learning the simple present tense by using a simple and understandable
formula. According to Lester (as cited in Dewi, 2011, p. 8) simple present tense uses the simple
verb and is added by -s or –es if the subject is the third singular person. Simple present tense has
diference verb form between verbs used in the thrid singular verb form between verbs used in the
thrid singular subject (e.g. he, she, it, jean, your friend, etc), and verb with other subject (e.g. I,
you, we, they, Jean and John, cows and etc).

Present tense has its own formula with its verbs. Simply, the formula starts with the subject and
followed by infinitive verb or verb by adding es/s based on who is the doer in the sentence. It
means, simple present tense uses verb 1 to show the action in a verbal sentence and use to be (am,
is, are) in a nominal sentence. Time signal which is often used in the simple present like always,
usually, often,sometimes, rarely, seldom, never, and so on. According to Azar (as cited in
Martina, 2019, p. 24) the forms of simple present sentences are:

a. The Pattern of positive statement

S (He/She/It) +V –s or –es +....

And

S (I, You, We, They) +V +....

From the example and the pattern above, it can be summarized that in a third singular subject, it
can make an affirmative statement by using verb other than be, add –s or –es to the verb and for
the other subject just put the main verb. For example:

 He/she/ Jean plays badminton every morning

 I/You/ We/ They/Jean and Jeni play badminton every morning.
b. The Pattern of negative form

S (He, She,It) + does not + V (simple form of verb) +...

And

S (I, You, We,They) + do not + V (simple form of verb)

From pattern above, for the thrid singular subject to make negative statement add does not or
doesn’t after the subject and for the other subject add do not or don’t after the subjects.

For example:

 He doesn’t teach math very well

 They don’t know about you

c. The Pattern of question form

Do + S (I,You, We, They) + V(Simple form of verb )

And

Does + S (He, She, It) + V(Simple form of verb ) + ...?

The formula of negative question is :

Do + S (I,You, We, They) + Not + V(Simple form of verb ) +

Do + S (I,You, We, They) + Not+ V(Simple form of verb ) +

The pattern of introgative sentence with be put in the beginning of the sentences or before the
subject then following by subject and then adjective/adverb of place/noun.

According to Krohn (as cited in Rehaul, 2012, p. 14) in simple present tense, interrogative
sentences, a form of the verb “do” comes before the subject then following by subject and simple
form of verb. Use “does” if the subject are: he/she/it and use ”do” if the subject is third singular
subject ( I, You, We, They) for example: “Does Charles like milk?” “ yes, he does.” On that short
answer, “yes”, he does means yes, charles likes milk. Notice that does is substitutes for the verb
phrase. In the example, does replace likes milk.

2.4 Adverbs of Frequency and Time Signal

In simple present tense there is an adverb of time that is often used in a sentence. According to
Akhmad (as cited in Suci, 2010, p. 9) the adverb that states the number or how many a job, action
or event was carried out. Many time adverbs are put or used at the beginning or end of a sentence,
and also repetitive adverbs are often placed before the verb or after to be. There are several
adverbs and times used to denote the simple present tense:

Adverbs of frequency
Always
Usually
Often
Frequently
Generally
Continually
Occasionally
Seldom
Rarely
Ever
Hardly ever
Never
Once
Twice
Regulary
Periodically
Repeatedly
From the table above it can be concluded that there are many kinds of adverbs of frequency and
time signals. Adverb of frequency can be used to add meaning in the sentence. While time signal
must be used in simple present tense sentences.

For instance:
I always go to the school by foot

2. Present Continuous Tense

a. Form of the Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous tense is formed with a form of be (am,is,are)+the present participle (the
infinitive+ing).2

The present continuous tense gives the idea that an action is in progress at the present time, and
probably will continue.3

According to Marcella Frank, “ Present Ontinuous Tense expresses one action in the present of
short duration and long duration, expresses future action, and expresses the beginning,
progression or end of an action”4

In addition, Betty Schrampfer Azar Stated, “Present Continuous Tense expresses an activity that
is in progress at the moment of speaking.

It is a temporary activity that began in the past, is continuing at present, and will probably end at
some point in the future.

Positive form

One of the present continuous forms is affirmative statement and to make an affirmative
statement, by using this following formula: S+BE (am,is, are)+Present Participle(ing-form)+(….)

Subject Be Verb+ing
I Am Doing Exercise now
You Are Cooking Dinner now
He/she/it Is Watching Television now
We/they Are Staying Home today

Negative form
Formula: S+be+not+verb+ing

Subject Be not+verb+ing+O Be
contraction+not+verb+ing
I Am not eating cakes I’m not studying
He / she / it Is not speaking He is not listening
You Are not working You’re not working
We / they Are not working You’re not working

Question form

The student can also form present continuous tense tense into interrogative sentences, and there
are two kinds of interrogative sentences :

a. Interrogative Affirmative

To make a negative interrogative, contractive form of be, put before the subject.

Formula : Be+Subject+Verb+ing+(… )

Example:

Am I Doing homework?

Are You Cooking dinner?

Is He/ She/ It Eating fish?

are We/ You/ they Watching Television?

b. Negative Interrogative

To make a negative, contractive form of be, put before the subject.

Formula :

Contractive form of Be+Subject+Verb+(… )

Isn’t He/ she/ it Sleeping now?

Aren’t I Writing now?

Aren’t You / they/ weDiscussing the lesson now?

Usage of Present Continuous Tense

Based on Raymond Murphy ( 1985:2) there are some usages of present continuous tense, as
follows :

1.The present continuous tense is used when expressing abaut something that is happening at the
time of speaking :

- Please don’t make so much noise. I’m studying

2.The present continuous tense also used when talking abaut something that is happening around
the time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking, study this example of
situation :

Tom and Ann are talking and drinking in a café

Tora says : “I’m reading an interesting book at the moment. I’ii lend it to you when I’ve finished
it”

Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and
haven’t finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it.

3.The present continuous tense is used when talking abaut a period around the present for
example today, this week, this season, etc :

- “you are working hard today” “yes I have a lot of job to do”

- Tom is not playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

4.The present continuous tense is used when talking abaut changing situation :

- The population of the world is rising very fast (not rises)

- Is your English getting better ? (not does Get)

5.The present continuous tense when we talk abaut a future plan :

- He is giving a lecture tomorrow

- The ship is sailing nextweek

6.With always for a frequently repeated action unreasonable to the speaker :

- You are always interrupting me

Auxiliary verbs Do, Be, Have

According to Murphy (2019:45) An auxiliary verb helps the main (full) verb and is also called a
"helping verb." With auxiliary verbs, you can write sentences in different tenses, moods, or
voices. The verb forms of be, do, and have can be used either as a main (full) verb or an auxiliary
verb. The following examples show these verbs used as auxiliary verbs.

1. "Be" as an auxiliary verb

a.Used in progressive sentences:

• I am taking a bath.

• She is preparing dinner for us.

• They have been studying all night.

b.Used in passive sentences:

• I was given a free meal.

• He was seen by fans at the airport.

• This song has been sung by all nations.

2."Do" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in negative sentences:

• I do not know the truth.

• She doesn’t agree with me.

• They didn’t arrive here yet.

b.Used in questions:
• Do you want to have another one?

• Did he finish his homework?

• Do we need to keep going straight?

3."Have" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in perfect sentences:

• I have been following you for a mile.

• We have done a lot so far.

• She had been queen of the town

Final considerations
Up to this moment we discovered that the present simple has many usages specially when we
want to make a question or simply negative and positive statements. And again, the usage of
present continuous tense is very important to be attentive when it happens to use in the sentences.

In the same we developed about the usage of auxiliary verbs and adverbs of frequency, this
means that in the speech we usually use the auxiliary verbs to make our sentences meaningful.