Understanding the Present Simple Tense

The present simple tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly, facts that are always true, or general statements about the present. It is also used to express habits, routines, and permanent situations.

1. Structure of the Present Simple Tense

The present simple is formed with the base form of the verb for most subjects (I, you, we, they), but for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it), the verb generally takes an -s at the end.

Examples:

• I eat breakfast every morning.

• She works at a hospital.

Affirmative:
Subject + base verb (I, we, you, they) / Subject + base verb + -s/es (he, she, it)

• I like coffee.

• He runs every day.

Negative:
Subject + do/does + not + base verb (I, you, we, they use do; he, she, it uses does)

• I do not (don't) like coffee.

• She does not (doesn't) run every day.

Question:
Do/Does + subject + base verb?

• Do you like coffee?

• Does she run every day?

2. When to Use the Present Simple Tense

The present simple tense is used in the following situations:

• To describe routine or habitual actions:

  • I go to the gym every morning.
    (This is a regular activity.)

• To talk about general facts or truths:

  • The sun rises in the east.
    (This is a fact that is always true.)

• To state permanent situations:

  • He lives in New York.
    (This is a permanent situation.)

• To describe fixed or scheduled future events:

  • The train leaves at 9 AM tomorrow.
    (A scheduled event in the future.)

• For instructions or directions:

  • You turn left at the corner.
    (A direction or instruction.)

3. Examples of the Present Simple Tense

• I play tennis every Sunday.
  (Habitual action, something I do regularly.)

• She speaks three languages.
  (A general truth or ability.)

• The train leaves at 6 PM.
  (A scheduled event.)

• He works in a bank.
  (A permanent situation.)

• We study English every day.
  (A regular action or habit.)

4. Time Expressions Commonly Used with the Present Simple

• Every day / Every week / Every year

  • She goes to the gym every day.

• Always

  • I always drink coffee in the morning.

• Never

  • He never eats vegetables.

• Often / Frequently

  • They often visit their grandparents.

• Sometimes

  • I sometimes watch movies at night.

• Usually

  • We usually have lunch at 1 PM.

• On + days of the week

  • I go to the market on Mondays.

5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the present simple tense.

1. I ________ (eat) breakfast at 7 AM.

2. She ________ (go) to the gym every day.

3. They ________ (live) in Canada.

4. We ________ (study) English every week.

5. He ________ (like) playing soccer.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.

1. a) She go to work by car.
   b) She goes to work by car.

2. a) They likes to read books.
   b) They like to read books.

3. a) I play tennis every Sunday.
   b) I plays tennis every Sunday.

4. a) He don’t drink coffee.
   b) He doesn’t drink coffee.

5. a) We watch TV every evening.
   b) We watches TV every evening.

Exercise 3: Write questions using the present simple tense.

1. (you, like) pizza?

2. (she, play) tennis?

3. (they, go) to the cinema often?

4. (he, work) on weekends?

5. (we, study) English every day?