This post will look at how the Present Simple is formed, how to use it along with some exercises and a quiz.
The present simple is a tense that is taught extensively in English lessons, especially in courses for beginners, but can cause a few problems (especially when used in the third person singular).
After we have explained how to use this tense, you will find links to different dialogues and examples to help you understand the tense even more.
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 form of ‘does not’
Question
| Auxiliary Verb and Subject | Verb Form |
|---|---|
| Do + I / we / you / they | work? |
| Does + He / She / It | work? |
How to Use It
Talking about things in general
It is used to talk about things in general, and to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly: habits, hobbies, daily events, schedules, daily routines. Take a look at the following examples:
- I play football two times per week
- Do you play tennis?
- The train leaves at 3pm on Wednesdays
- I don´t get up early on Sundays
- I don’t like ice cream
- He goes there all the time
- The cafe opens at 7.30am
David’s Daily Routine
Read David’s daily routine; look for the different adverbs of frequency used.
“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.”
The Daily Routine of Some English Teachers
Facts and Generalizations
- The earth goes around the sun
- Cats drink milk
- Water boils at 100 degrees
- Water freezes at zero degrees
- London is the capital of England
- Argentina is in South America
Scheduled Events in the Future – Anything that Is on a Timetable
- What time does the plane depart?
- The film starts at 7.45pm
- The party finishes at 2am
- What time does the train arrive?
Present Simple Exercises
The following present simple exercises can be done by speaking with your tutor or a friend, or by writing the answers:
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.
3. Write about a friend. Describe what he or she looks like, does for a living and likes to do in their spare time.
More on the Present Simple Tense
1. Here is a good example answer from students when I ask them to tell me about themselves:
Teacher: So, tell me about yourself.
Student: Well, I’m thirty years old and live in Valencia, Spain. I’m an accountant at a large accountancy firm and work quite long hours which means I don’t have much spare time. I have a wife and two kids so I spend my weekends going to the park, playing outside and generally being quite active.
I love to watch old classic movies and listen to British rock music. I also love traveling and try to go somewhere new every year. I’m quite shy sometimes but only around new people and I’m quite outgoing with my friends.
2. Here is a typical Christmas Day from the point of view of a young boy.
3. Here are some present simple dialogues to give you some more examples.