present simple tense

Here’s a concise guide to the present simple tense (useful for exams).

What it is

• The present simple describes routines/habits, general truths, permanent states, and fixed timetables.

Forms

• Affirmative: subject + base verb (add -s/-es for third person singular)
  • I/you/we/they work. He/she/it works.
• Negative: subject + do/does + not + base verb
  • I/you/we/they do not work. He/she/it does not work.
  • Contractions: don’t, doesn’t
• Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
  • Do I work? Does she work?
  • Answer with yes/no: Yes, I do. No, he doesn’t.

Be (the verb “to be”) as a special case

• Affirmative: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we/they are
• Negative: I am not (I’m not), you aren’t, he isn’t, we aren’t, they aren’t
• Question: Am I? Are you? Is he? Are we? Are they?

Key uses

• Routines and habits: I wake up at 7 every day.
• General truths: The Earth orbits the Sun.
• Permanent situations: She lives in Madrid.
• Schedules and timetables: The train leaves at 9 a.m.
• Instructions and directions: First you boil the water.

Time expressions commonly used

• always, usually, often, sometimes, never
• every day/week, on Mondays, in the mornings
• once a week, twice a year

Spelling/grammar tips for third person singular

• Most verbs add -s: work → works, play → plays
• If the verb ends in -o, -ch, -sh, -x, or -s, add -es: go → goes, wish → wishes, watch → watches
• If the verb ends with a consonant + y, change y to i and add -es: study → studies
• If the verb ends with a vowel + y, add -s: play → plays
• Verbs ending in -e usually just add -s: love → loves
• Some irregulars exist (have → has, do → does)

Common pitfalls

• Using present continuous for habits: wrong, e.g., I am going to the gym every day. (correct: I go to the gym every day.)
• Forgetting the -s for he/she/it: She work -> She works.
• Using do/does with the wrong subject in negatives/questions: He do not like → He does not like.

Quick practice (answers included)

1. She __________ (work) at a bank.
   • works
2. They __________ (not / like) loud music.
   • do not like (don't like)
3. What time __________ (the train / leave) tonight?
   • does the train leave
4. I __________ (not / eat) meat.
   • do not eat (don't eat)
5. He __________ (go) to the gym every day.
   • goes

Would you like a short set of more challenging practice questions, or a comparison with the present continuous to solidify the difference?