When we use verbs, we place the verbs in a certain “tense.” The word tense really means “time.” When we talk about a verb in present tense, we are talking about something that happens in the present time – something that happens right now.
Here are sentences using present tense verbs. The action in each sentence is happening right now.
Mom drives to work after breakfast.
I make my bed before breakfast.
Grandma reads a book to my baby sister.
I ride the school bus.
A present tense verb with a singular noun for a subject takes an -s on the end.
Bob rides his motorcycle.
Sam plays baseball.
Mom sings in the choir.
In each sentence, the subject is a single person and the present tense verb has an -s on the end.
A present tense verb with a plural subject has no -s on the end.
Bob and his brother ride the motorcycle.
The boys play baseball.
Mom and my sister sing in the choir.
In each of these sentences, the subject is two people, and the present tense verb has no -s on the end.
We use present tense verbs to talk about something that happens right now. A present tense verb used with a singular subject has an -s on the end of the verb.