Mastering the Present Simple Tense

Grammar Present simple tense rules Present simple use Present simple typical words Present simple reported speech Present simple passive Present simple spelling rules	Exercises Present Simple

The present simple tense is one of the most important and basic tenses in English. It helps you talk about habits, facts, routines, and things that are always true. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the present simple tense, see examples, and get tips to avoid common mistakes. Let’s make learning English easy and fun!

What is the Present Simple Tense?

The present simple tense, also called the simple present tense, is used to describe:

Habits: Things you do regularly, like "I drink coffee every morning."
Facts: True statements, like "The sun rises in the east."
Routines: Regular actions, like "She goes to school every day."
General truths: Things that are always true, like "Water boils at 100°C."

The formula for the present simple tense is simple and depends on the subject.

How to Form the Present Simple Tense

1. For Most Subjects

For the subjects I, you, we, they, use the base form of the verb:

I walk to work every day.
They play football on weekends.

2. For He, She, It

For the subjects he, she, it, add "-s" or "-es" to the base verb:

She walks to work every day.
He watches TV in the evening.

Tip: Be careful to use the correct verb ending for singular subjects like "he," "she," or "it."

Examples of the Present Simple Tense

Here are examples of the present simple tense in action:

1. Habits and Routines

I drink coffee every morning.
She goes for a run every evening.
We visit our grandparents every Sunday.

2. Facts and General Truths

The Earth orbits the sun.
Water freezes at 0°C.
Cats love to sleep in warm places.

3. Scheduled Events

The present simple is also used for future events that are part of a schedule:

The train leaves at 9:00 AM.
School starts at 8:30 AM.

4. Negative Sentences

To make a sentence negative, use do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t):

I do not like spicy food.
He doesn’t play the guitar.

5. Questions

For questions, use do or does at the beginning:

Do you like pizza?
Does she speak Spanish?

Spelling Rules for Adding "-s" or "-es"

When forming the present simple for he, she, it, remember these rules:

For most verbs: Add "-s." (e.g., play → plays, read → reads)
For verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, or -z: Add "-es." (e.g., watch → watches, mix → mixes)
For verbs ending in a consonant + "y": Change "y" to "i" and add "-es." (e.g., study → studies, carry → carries)

When to Use the Present Simple Tense

1. Talking About Habits

Use the present simple to describe things you do regularly:

I read a book every night before bed.
She takes the bus to work.

2. Describing Facts or Truths

Use the present simple for statements that are always true:

The moon reflects the light of the sun.
Birds fly in the sky.

3. Talking About Scheduled Events

Use this tense for events on a timetable or schedule:

The train arrives at 5 PM.
The movie starts at 7:30 PM.

Common Mistakes with the Present Simple Tense

Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Forgetting the "-s" or "-es"

Incorrect: He walk to school.
Correct: He walks to school.

2. Using "Do/Does" Incorrectly in Questions

Incorrect: Does she plays tennis?
Correct: Does she play tennis?

3. Confusing with Continuous Tenses

Remember, the present simple describes regular actions, while the present continuous describes actions happening right now:

Present simple: I walk to work every day. (Routine)
Present continuous: I am walking to work now. (Happening right now)

Practice the Present Simple Tense

Here are some exercises to help you practice:

Write five sentences about your daily routine.
Describe three facts about the world.
Ask a friend three questions using "do" or "does."

FAQs About the Present Simple Tense

1. Can I use the present simple for actions happening now?

No, the present simple is not used for ongoing actions. For actions happening now, use the present continuous. For example:

Present simple: He works in an office. (Regular job)
Present continuous: He is working on a project. (Happening now)

2. How do I use "do" and "does" in questions?

Use "do" for I, you, we, they and "does" for he, she, it. For example:

Do they play soccer?
Does she like chocolate?

Conclusion

The present simple tense is essential for speaking and writing in English. It helps you describe habits, routines, facts, and schedules. With practice, you’ll find it easy to use this tense in your daily conversations. Keep practicing and enjoy learning English!

Special verbs

Special verbs in Present Simple Tense.

1. HAVE

Affirmative sentences	Negative sentences	Questions
I / You have a car.	I / You do not have a car.	Do I / you have a car?
He / She / It has a car	He / She / It does not have a car.	Does he / she / it have a car?
We / You / They have a car.	We / You / They do not have a car.	Do we / you / they have a car?

2. BE

Affirmative sentences	Negative sentences	Questions
I am from Olsztyn.	I am not from Olsztyn.	Am I from Olsztyn?
You are from Olsztyn.	You are not from Olsztyn.	Are you from Olsztyn?
He / She / It is from Olsztyn.	He / She / It is not from Olsztyn.	Is he / she / it from Olsztyn?
We / You / They are from Olsztyn.	We / You / They are not from Olsztyn.	Are we / you / they from Olsztyn?

3. DO

Affirmative sentences	Negative sentences	Questions
I do an exercise.	I do not do an exercise.	Do I do an exercise?
You do an exercise.	You do not do an exercise.	Do you do an exercise?
He does an exercise.	He does not do an exercise.	Does he do an exercise?
She does an exercise.	She does not do an exercise.	Does she do an exercise?
It does an exercise.	It does not do an exercise.	Does it do an exercise?
We do an exercise.	We do not do an exercise.	Do we do an exercise?
You do an exercise.	You do not do an exercise.	Do you do an exercise?
They do an exercise.	They do not do an exercise.	Do they do an exercise?

4. Modal verbs: can, may, must, need etc.

In all persons (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) the forms are exactly the same. We DO NOT add ending -s with the third person singular! We can replace don't / can't with do not / cannot.

Affirmative sentences	Negative sentences	Questions
I can play tennis.	I cannot play tennis.	Can I play tennis?