The simple present tense is used to express an action occurring at the time of speaking or writing or an action repeatedly or habitually performed.

This tense is formed by adding -s or -es to the base form of the verb when it agrees with a singular subject - washes, cooks, teaches, etc. This is not required for a plural subject.

Examples:

• The women wash the dishes.

• Lorelei washes the dishes.

The simple present tense is also used to express a general truth or fact.

Examples:

• Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.

• Bats sleep hanging upside down.

The simple past tense is used to express an action that occurred or was completed in the past.

To form the simple past tense, -ed is added to the base form of regular verbs - washed, cooked.

The past tense of irregular verbs is not formed by adding -ed - taught, wrote. Some verbs do not change their form - read, put.

Examples:

• The women washed the dishes.

• Teacher Leah taught us a modern dance last week.

• The librarian read the book yesterday.

The simple future tense is used to express an action that will occur in the future and is formed by placing will or shall before the base word - will/shall wash, will/shall cook, etc.

Examples:

• She will read a book tonight.

• I will cook tomorrow.