Present Simple
Talk about habits, routines and facts.
12 minBeginner
1The grammar
Use the Present Simple for habits, routines and things that are generally true: I start work at nine. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
With I, you, we and they, use the base verb: I work. With he, she and it, add -s: She works. Some verbs add -es: go becomes goes, and watch becomes watches. When a verb ends in a consonant + y, y becomes -ies: study becomes studies. 'Have' becomes 'has'.
For negatives, use don't or doesn't + the base verb: We don't work on Sundays. He doesn't drive. For questions, use Do or Does + subject + the base verb: Do you speak French? Does she live here?
After 'does' and 'doesn't', the main verb has no -s: Does she work here? She doesn't work here.
2Structure and formation
Positive
I / you / we / they + verb; he / she / it + verb + -s
They walk to work. She walks to work.
Negative
Subject + don't / doesn't + base verb
He doesn't eat meat.
Question
Do / Does + subject + base verb?
Do you live here?
Short answers
Yes, subject + do / does. No, subject + don't / doesn't.
Yes, I do. No, she doesn't.
3Examples
I start work at nine.
A routine: base verb with I.
She drives to the office.
He, she, it: add -s.
The shop opens at ten.
A timetable: one thing, so add -s.
We don't work on Sundays.
Negative: don't + base verb.
Does he speak French?
Question: does + subject + base verb.
My sister studies law.
Consonant + y becomes -ies.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
A general fact.
4Common mistakes
He work in a bank.
He works in a bank.
With he, she and it, add -s to the verb.
She doesn't works on Fridays.
She doesn't work on Fridays.
After 'doesn't', use the base verb.
Do she live here?
Does she live here?
With he, she and it, use 'does'.
I am work in a hotel.
I work in a hotel.
Do not use 'am' with a Present Simple verb.
He gos to the gym.
He goes to the gym.
'Go' takes -es: goes.
5Practical usage
Your daily routine
Use it to talk about your day: I get up at seven. I take the bus to work. I finish at five.
Timetables
Use it for times that do not change: The train leaves at 8:15. The bank closes at four.
Now practise it
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