Present Simple Tense

The Present Simple tense is the most basic and commonly used tense in English. It describes habits, routines, facts, and general truths. Let's explore this fundamental tense step by step.

1. Form

The Present Simple is formed with:

Subject + base verb (V1)

For he/she/it, add -s or -es to the verb:

I/You/We/They → V1 (no change)
He/She/It → V1 + s/es

Examples:

I eat breakfast every day.
She eats breakfast every day.
They play football on weekends.

2. When Do We Use It?

a) Habits and routines

We use the Present Simple to talk about things we do regularly.

I wake up at 7 AM every day.
She goes to the gym three times a week.
They visit their grandparents every Sunday.

b) Facts and general truths

We use it to state facts that are always true.

The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Cats love fish.

c) Permanent situations

We use it for situations that are generally true and don't change.

I live in London.
She works as a teacher.
They speak three languages.

d) Scheduled events (future)

We use it for timetables and schedules.

The train leaves at 8:30 AM.
The movie starts at 7 PM.
School begins in September.

3. Signal Words

Some words often appear with the Present Simple:

always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day/week/month, on Mondays, in the morning

Examples:

I always drink coffee in the morning.
She usually takes the bus to work.
They never eat fast food.

4. Third Person Singular (-s/-es)

For he/she/it, we add -s or -es to the verb:

Rules for adding -s/-es:

Most verbs: add -s (work → works, play → plays)
Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: add -es (pass → passes, wash → washes, watch → watches, fix → fixes, go → goes)
Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to ies (study → studies, try → tries)
Verbs ending in vowel + y: just add -s (play → plays, stay → stays)

Examples:

He works in an office.
She watches TV every evening.
It goes fast.

5. Negative and Question Forms

Negative:

Subject + do/does + not + base verb

I do not (don't) like coffee.
She does not (doesn't) speak French.
They do not (don't) live here.

Questions:

Do/Does + subject + base verb?

Do you like pizza?
Does she work here?
Do they speak English?

6. Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct
He go to school.	He goes to school.
She don't like it.	She doesn't like it.
Do he work here?	Does he work here?
I am work every day.	I work every day.

Stative Verbs

Some verbs are rarely used in continuous forms. These include: like, love, hate, know, understand, believe, want, need, belong, cost, seem.

7. Comparison with Present Continuous

Present Simple: Habits, routines, facts, permanent situations.
- I work in an office. (Habit, routine)
Present Continuous: Actions happening now, temporary situations.
- I am working on a project. (Happening now, temporary)

Quick Review

Form: base verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it).
Uses:
1. Habits and routines.
2. Facts and general truths.
3. Permanent situations.
4. Scheduled events (future).
Signal Words: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day, on Mondays.
Third Person: Remember to add -s/-es for he/she/it.
Negative/Questions: Use do/does + base verb.
Compare with Present Continuous (simple = habits, continuous = now).

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