Present Simple
For things that are generally true and habits
Overview
In this grammar section we will have a look at the Present simple tense to talk about things that are generally true and habits.
Examples
Generally true
A: Do you work?
B: Yes, I am a doctor. I work in a hospital.
A: Do you have a brother?
B: No, I don’t have a brother
A: What is winter like?
B: It is always very cold and sometimes it snows.
Habits
A: What do you do in your free time?
B: I play computer games from time to time. I often read books. I spend a lot of time with my children. I also enjoy watching series. I don’t do a lot of sports.
A: How often do you go to a restaurant?
B: About once a month I go to a restaurant.
Usage/ Meaning
You use the present simple to talk about something that is generally true:
- I am a doctor. (always true)
- I don’t have a brother.(always true)
- It is always cold. (always true)
- It sometimes snows. (generally true)
You also use the present simple to talk about habits:
- From time to time I play computer games. (habit)
- I often read. (habit)
- I enjoy watching TV. (generally true/ habit)
- I don’t do a lot of sports. (habit/ generally true)
- About once a month I go to a restaurant. (habit)
Form
Positive
Examples
- I work
- She plays computer games
Positive:
- I work
- You work
- she/he/it works
- You work
- They work
- We work
I/You/They/We Subject + infinitive (without to)
She/he/it + infinitive + s
Exceptions
- Final letter before Y is a consonant
- I study: She studies
- I worry: he worries
- y changes into ie
- Final letter before Y is a consonant
- Verbs ending in ch, sh, s, x or a, o
- I watch: He watches
- I finish: it finishes
- I go: she goes
- I do: she does
- +es instead of
s
Practice
Negative
Examples
- I don’t work
- We do not play computer games
- She doesn’t read books
- He does not speak English
Pronoun | Short form | Long form |
I | Don’t work | Do not work |
you | Don’t work | Do not work |
she/it/he | Doesn’t work | Does not work |
you | Don’t work | Do not work |
they | Don’t work | Do not work |
we | Don’t work | Do not work |
I/you/they/we don’t + infinitive (without to): don’t work
she/he/it + doesn’t + infinitive (without to): doesn’t work
Practice
Question
Examples
- Do you work?
- Does she work?
Do | Pronoun | Infinitive |
Do | I | work |
Do | you | work |
Does | she/it/he | work |
Do | you | work |
Do | they | work |
Do | we | work |
Do + I/you/they/we + infinitive (without to): Do you work?
Does + she/he/it + infinitive (without to): does she work?
NOT Does she works!
Practice
Short answer
- Yes, I do.
- Yes, she does
- Subject + do/does
- No, I don’t
- No, She doesn’t
- Subject + don’t/ doesn’t
Pronunciation
With he/she/it the s has 3 different sounds : /s/, /z/ /iz/
When the last letter before the -s is non vibrating, the s sound is /s/
- She works
- She puts
- She surfs
When the last letter before the -s is vibrating, the s sound is /z/
- She plays
- She runs
- She spends
When the last letter before the -s is hissing sound (/ʧ/, /ʤ/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /z/, /s/), the s sound is /iz/
- She teaches
- She judges
- She finishes
- She messages
- She loses
- She misses
Time words
The present simple is often used with these time words
- Every day: I drink coffee every day.
- Always: She always comes late.
- Never: I never get up early.
- Once a week: I go swimming once a week.
- Twice a month: I visit my parents twice a month
- Usually: They usually arrive on time.
- From time to time: I ride a bike from time to time
- Often: We often take a taxi.
Questions
Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below. Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….
- Do you play any sports?
- Do you like reading books?
- What is your favourite season?
- What do you usually have for breakfast?
- At what time do you usually get up in the morning?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters?
- What do you like about your teacher?
- How often do you eat out?
- When do you see your friends?
- How often do you go to the cinema?
Spread the word
Kristof Abrath
Teacher, Trainer, Course Designer
Teaching in English on 4 different continents since 2006.