Simple present tense refers to actions that take place in the present, but not necessarily at this present moment. For example, ‘I go to school’ is a sentence constructed in the present tense. It may not be that at this exact moment, I am going to school, but generally (nowadays), I go to school.

The verb is formed in the simple present tense by observing the number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine or feminine) of the subject of the sentence. First, find the verbal root (remove the ना from the infinitive form of the verb). Then add ता, ते or ती to the root depending on the subject:

Examples:

1. Sohan reads a book.

सोहन किताब पढ़ता है।

The verb पढ़ना means ‘to read’. We must first obtain the verbal root. To form the verbal root, remove the ना from the infinitive. In this example, the verbal root is पढ़. Looking at the subject, we deduce that Sohan is a boy, so the subject is masculine singular. Looking at the above table, when the subject is masculine singular, we add ता to the verbal root, so the verb becomes पढ़ता. Since Sohan is third person singular, we end the sentence with है (see lesson on Pronouns for an explanation of है).

2. Amrita plays the sitar.

अमृता सितार बजाती है।

Here, the verb बजाना means ‘to play’ (an instrument). The verbal root of बजाना (removing the ना) is बजा. Looking at the subject, it is feminine singular. Looking at the table above, we add ती to the verbal root, forming बजाती.

3. We sing a bhajan.

हम भजन गाते हैं।

In this case, गाना means ‘to sing’. By removing ना, we form the verbal root गा. The subject, हम, is plural. If we can’t determine if it is masculine or feminine, we can assume that it is masculine. Therefore, we add ते to the verbal root, forming गाते.

To express the negative, नहीं is placed before the verb, and हूँ, है, हैं, हो are usually dropped. For example:

मित्र शराब नहीं पीता । Mitra does not drink alcohol.

नीता मांस नहीं खाती। Neeta does not eat meat.

राम और श्याम टीवी नहीं देखते। Ram and Shyam do not watch TV.