Simple Present

Level 1

The simple present is the subject plus the plain verb: Ama tɔn nkosua (Ama sells eggs). It tells what someone usually does or what is generally true.

How It Works

How to form it
Subject prefix + verb, or noun + verb:

  • Menom nsuo. — I drink water. (me- + nom)
  • Ama tɔn nkosua. — Ama sells eggs.
  • Yɛkɔ asɔre Kwasiada. — We go to church on Sunday.

There is no ending like the English -s: the verb is the same for every subject.

What it means

  • Habits: Mekɔ adwuma anɔpa biara (I go to work every morning).
  • Facts and abilities: Meka Twi kakra (I speak a little Twi).
  • Jobs and routines: Meyɛ adwuma wɔ sikakorabea (I work at a bank).

Not for right now
If something is going on as you speak, use re-: Mekɔ sukuu (I go to school) but Merekɔ sukuu (I am going to school now). See Progressive re- and Simple Present or Progressive?.

State verbs
Verbs of state such as nim (know), pɛ (want) and wɔ (be at, have) use this same plain form for how things are now: Menim (I know). See State Verbs in the Present.

The negative
Add the negative nasal before the verb: Mennom nsa (I do not drink alcohol), Ɔnkɔ sukuu (He does not go to school). See Negative Prefix N-.

In the past
To say what used to happen, put na in front: Na Ama tɔn nkosua (Ama used to sell eggs). See Used To: na + Simple Present.

Examples (6)

  1. Menom nsuo pii.

    I drink a lot of water.

    Word by Word: I-drink water much.

  2. Ama tɔn nkosua.

    Ama sells eggs.

    Word by Word: Ama sell eggs.

  3. Yɛkɔ asɔre Kwasiada.

    We go to church on Sunday.

    Word by Word: We-go church Sunday.

  4. Meka Twi kakra.

    I speak a little Twi.

    Word by Word: I-speak Twi a-little.

  5. Meyɛ adwuma wɔ sikakorabea.

    I work at a bank.

    Word by Word: I-do work at bank.

  6. Mennom nsa.

    I do not drink alcohol.

    Word by Word: I-not-drink drink.

    The negative nasal goes between the prefix and the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain form for something happening right now.

    Medidi. (answering "What are you doing?")
    Meredidi.

    Medidi states a habit, I eat. For an action in progress, add re-: Meredidi, I am eating.

  • Using re- for a habit.

    Merekɔ asɔre Kwasiada biara.
    Mekɔ asɔre Kwasiada biara.

    Kwasiada biara (every Sunday) describes a habit, so the plain form is used. Re- is for an action in progress, not for a regular habit.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Simple PresentLevel 1

Learn This First

The simple present uses the subject prefixes on a plain verb.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.