[GRAMMAR GUIDE]  [EXERCISES]  [ONLINE QUIZZES]

Understanding the Present Simple

The present simple tense is used to talk about habits, routines, general truths, and facts. It is also used to express schedules and timetables.

Examples:

• I wake up at 7 a.m. every day. (habit/routine)
• The sun rises in the east. (general truth)
• The bus arrives at 8 p.m. (schedule)

Forming the Present Simple

The present simple tense is formed differently for different subjects.

For I, You, We, They:

Use the base form of the verb.

• I play soccer on Sundays.
• They study English at school.

For He, She, It:

Add -s or -es to the verb.

• He watches TV in the evening.
• She goes to work at 9 a.m.

Spelling Rules for Third Person (He/She/It):

• Most verbs: add -s (play → plays, work → works)
• Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -o: add -es (watch → watches, go → goes)
• Verbs ending in -y (consonant + y): change y to i and add -es (study → studies, carry → carries)

Negative Form

To make negative sentences in the present simple, use do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t) + the base verb.

• I do not (don’t) like coffee.
• He does not (doesn’t) play tennis.
• They do not (don’t) work on Sundays.

Forming Questions

To ask questions in the present simple, use do or does + subject + base verb.

• Do you like pizza?
• Does she play the piano?
• Do they go to school on weekends?

Short Answers:

• Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
• Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t.