This post will look at how the Present Simple is formed, how to use it along with some exercises and a quiz.

For forming the verbs in the affirmative, negative and question we will use the verb 'to work' as an example.


Affirmative

Subject
 Verb form
I / we / you / they
 work
He / She / It works

For the third person singular;
    if the verb ends in 's', 'z', 'ch', or sh' - add 'es'. E.g. He wishes. She passes.
    if the verb ends in 'y' - change the 'y' and add 'ies'. E.g. He cries. It flies.


Negative

Subject
 Auxiliary Verb and Verb Form
I / we / you / they
 don't work
He / She / It doesn't work

'Don´t' is the contracted form of 'do not'
Doesn't is the contracted for of 'does not'


Question

Auxiliary Verb and Subject
 Verb Form
Do + I / we / you / they
 work?
Does + He / She / It  work?

Use

1. To talk about things in general and it is used to say that something happens all the time or repeatly - Habits, hobbies, daily events, schedules, daily routines.
  1. I play football two times per week
  2. Do you play tennis?
  3. The train leaves at 3pm on Wednesdays
  4. I don´t get up early on Sundays
  5. I don't like ice cream
  6. He goes there all the time
  7. The cafe opens at 7.30am

 Hi my name is David. I usually get up at 7am. Afterwards I eat breakfast and read the paper. I sometimes take a shower but I prefer having a bath. I get to university at 10am and I have two classes. After the classes I usually go to the beach and meet my friends. My friend Sarah doesn't like the beach. She generally goes to the park with her dog. In the evening we study together and then have a few drinks in a local bar.


 2. Facts and Generalizations
  1. The earth goes around the sun
  2. Cats drink milk
  3. Water boils at 100 degrees.
  4. Water freezes at 0 degrees.
  5. London is the capital of England.
  6. Argentina is in South America.


3. Sheduled events in the future. Anything that is on a timetable.
  1. What time does the plane depart?
  2. The film starts at 7.45 pm.
  3. The party finishes at 2 am.
  4. What time does the train arrive?

Exercises and a Quiz

1. Write about your daily routine. Use the following key verbs and any others that you know; to get up, to eat breakfast, to take/have a shower, to drive to work, to get to work, to have/eat lunch, to play, to walk, to go to bed.

2. Write about yourself. E.g., I live in France, I like playing football etc.,

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