Understanding Present Simple Tense
Learn the fundamentals of present simple tense with examples and practical exercises for beginners.
Understanding Present Simple Tense
The present simple tense is one of the most fundamental tenses in English. It’s used to describe habits, facts, and general truths.
When to Use Present Simple
1. Habits and Routines
We use present simple to talk about things we do regularly:
- I drink coffee every morning. - She works from 9 to 5. - They play soccer on weekends.
2. Facts and General Truths
Present simple describes things that are always true:
- The sun rises in the east. - Water boils at 100°C. - Cats sleep a lot.
3. Permanent Situations
For things that don’t change often:
- I live in New York. - She teaches English. - We own a small business.
How to Form Present Simple
Positive Form
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I/You/We/They | base form | I work |
| He/She/It | base + s/es | She works |
💡 Tip: Remember to add ‘s’ or ‘es’ to verbs when the subject is he, she, or it!
Negative Form
Use don’t (do not) or doesn’t (does not):
- I don’t like spicy food. - He doesn’t speak French. - They don’t have a car.
Question Form
Use do or does at the beginning:
- Do you like pizza? - Does she work here? - Do they have children?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️ Don’t forget the ‘s’! - ❌ He work every day. - ✅ He works every day.
⚠️ Don’t use ‘do/does’ with ‘be’: - ❌ Do you are happy? - ✅ Are you happy?
Time Expressions
These words often go with present simple:
- always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
- every day/week/month/year
- on Mondays/weekends
- in the morning/afternoon/evening
- I always brush my teeth before bed. - She usually takes the bus to work. - We sometimes go to the movies.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb form
- She (go/goes) _ to school every day.
- I (don’t/doesn’t) _ like vegetables.
- (Do/Does) _ he speak English?
Exercise 2: Make these sentences negative
- I play tennis. → I _ tennis.
- She likes chocolate. → She _ chocolate.
- They have a dog. → They _ a dog.
Exercise 3: Make questions
- You live in London. → _ you _ in London?
- He works at a bank. → _ he _ at a bank?
- They speak Spanish. → _ they _ Spanish?
Answers
Exercise 1: 1. goes, 2. don’t, 3. Does
Exercise 2: 1. don’t play, 2. doesn’t like, 3. don’t have
Exercise 3: 1. Do/live, 2. Does/work, 3. Do/speak
Next Steps
Now that you understand present simple, try using it in your daily conversations! Practice describing your routines and habits.
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