The present simple is your key to talking about your everyday life and the world around you. We use it to share routines, habits, and facts that are always true. It’s one of the most common and useful tenses in English! 🗓️
Function & Usage
Think of the present simple for things that are regular, permanent, or generally true. It is not used for actions happening right now.
- Routines & Habits: To describe actions that you do regularly.
Example: I drink coffee every morning. She goes to the gym on Mondays. - General Facts & Truths: To state things that are always true about the world.
Example: The Earth revolves around the Sun. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. - Schedules & Timetables: To talk about fixed future events, like transportation or class schedules.
Example: The train leaves at 8 AM. Our class starts in five minutes.
The Structure (Form)
For most subjects, you use the base form of the verb. The most important rule is to add -s to the verb for he, she, and it.
| Subject | Positive (+) | Negative (-) | Question (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | work | do not (don’t) work | Do you work? |
| He / She / It | works | does not (doesn’t) work | Does she work? |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the “-s”: This is the biggest mistake learners make. Remember, for he/she/it, the verb needs an ‘s’. Incorrect: “He work here.” Correct: “He works here.”
- Adding “-s” in questions/negatives: After “doesn’t” or “Does,” the verb returns to its base form. Incorrect: “She doesn’t works.” Correct: “She doesn’t work.”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Person A: What time do you usually wake up?
Person B: I wake up around 6:30 AM. My husband wakes up earlier, at 5:45 AM.
Person A: Does this bus go to the city center?
Person B: No, it doesn’t. You need the number 12. It comes every 15 minutes.
Student: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Teacher: That’s a perfect example of a general truth. Great job!
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. He soccer on the weekend.
2. We always dinner at 7 PM.
3. The library at 9 AM.
4. I in a small apartment.
5. She three languages.
6. ___ you like coffee?
7. My cat ___ sleep a lot.
8. What time ___ the movie start?
9. They ___ live in this city.
10. Maria ___ very hard.
