Indefinite Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know what the indefinite tense is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on indefinite tense, including the definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What is indefinite tense?

According to Grammar Monster, the indefinite verb tense is also known as the simple aspect, or the simple tense. These are used to express a fact, but does not make it clear whether the action is a complete action or a habitual action. Any verb that is in the simple present tense, simple past tense, or simple future tense is said to be in the indefinite aspect, or an indefinite verb. These are also known as the present indefinite tense, past indefinite tense, and future indefinite tense.

In English grammar, there are many different types of verb tenses such as the future continuous tense, future perfect continuous tense, present continuous tense,perfect tense, and more. Some of these might use a helping verb. Verbs can be conjugated in many forms including the first person singular, first person plural, second-person singular, second-person plural, third-person singular number, and third-person plural. These can form simple present negative sentences or affirmative sentences, as well as an interrogative sentence. Regular verbs have similar conjugations from the base form of the verb or root form of verb.

What are examples of present indefinite tense?

An indefinite verb can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! The following examples are examples of indefinite verbs from English Study Page that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Try to use the term indefinite verbs today or notice when someone else is using an indefinite verb.

  •  We cook every day.
  •  He goes to school.
  •  We go to the gym club together.
  •  We live in Texas.
  •  When do they usually talk to each other?
  •  We cut the paper with scissors.
  •  She has a beehive full of bees.
  •  Do they talk a lot ?
  •  The train leaves every morning
  •  The train leaves in ten minutes.
  •  Does he go to school?
  •  We drink coffee every morning.
  •  He thinks he is very handsome.
  •  She writes an e-mail to her best friend.
  •  The unidentified person gave a guest the measles.
  •  California is not in the United Kingdom.
  •  I run four miles every morning.
  •  The poet publishes various kinds of books on different topics.
  •  Julie talks very fast.
  •  The clowns hand out ice-cream from the closet.
  •  They sleep in the afternoon.
  •  The earth goes round the sun.
  •  The lyricist sings melodious songs and writes romantic poems that she turns into different kinds of songs.
  •  Does she drink coffee?
  •  She doesn’t study German on Monday.
  •  Do you like spaghetti?
  •  She doesn’t teach chemistry.
  •  My brother takes out the trash.
  •  He drives to work.
  •  I give out my phone number.
  •  The business English student rents the apartment to another Longman student or human being.
  •  Cows eat grass.
  •  Water freezes at 0C
  •  Akbar loves to play basketball.
  •  Tomorrow early morning first I go to morning walk.
  •  He doesn’t teach math.
  •  The sun rises at the east.
  •  My sister works at the theater.
  •  I don’t wash the dishes.
  •  My elder brother watches movies at the Cineplex.
  •  I love my new pets.
  •  We see them every week.
  •  How often do you see George?
  •  California is in America.
  •  The Earth is spherical.
  •  The children are at home.
  •  She plays basketball.
  •  They speak English in USA.
  •  Do pigs like milk?
  •  Does he write an email?
  •  She copies down the first sentence and second sentence.
  •  Do you eat ice cream?
  •  Mary brushes her teeth twice a day.
  •  I don’t like tea.
  •  He catches the train every morning.
  •  My brother’s dog barks a lot.
  •  You run to the party.
  •  I do love my new pets.
  •  You have a big house.
  •  My boyfriend loves this song.
  •  I like reading detective stories.
  •  Michael doesn’t work.
  •  She doesn’t see Peter every day.
  •  She doesn’t use a computer.
  •  You don’t listen to me.
  •  Does he play tennis?
  •  He gets up early every day.
  •  It smells very delicious in the kitchen.
  •  You have some schoolwork to do.
  •  Cats hate water.
  •  Does she live in Paris?
  •  My mother never lies.
  •  The train does not leave at  5AM.
  •  He bakes a pie.
  •  My daughter does the laundry.
  •  She will solve injustice using a formula.
  •  We go to a gallery every Sunday.
  •  It usually rains every day here.
  •  My son lives in London.
  •  It doesn’t rain here in the summer.
  •  It snows a lot in winter in Russia.
  •  She swims every morning.
  •  The course starts next Sunday.
  •  I spill beer on my shirt.
  •  They don’t have any money.
  •  They speak English at work.
  •  You go to holiday every summer.
  •  Ronaldo likes bananas.
  •  The kids eat a sandwich.
  •  We generally sing songs all together.
  •  She goes to work by car.
  •  My cat runs very fast.
  •  Do we know each other?
  •  He goes to football every day.
  •  I like geography and science.
  •  I have no money at the moment.
  •  In the near future, her realistic songs will premiere based on true events.
  •  She wants to be a dentist.
  •  My father doesn’t speak good English.
  •  My Dad never works on the weekends.
  •  Every child likes an icecream.
  •  George brushes his teeth twice a day.
  •   Mary enjoys cooking.
  •  The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.

Overall, the term indefinite verbs refer to verbs that are in the simple tense.

Sources:

  1. Glossary of Grammatical Terms | OED
  2. 90 Sentences of Simple Present Tense, Example Sentences | English Study Page 
  3. Indefinite Aspect | What Is the Indefinite Aspect? | Grammar Monster