Present Simple Tense: English Grammar

• The present simple tense expresses habits, general truths, repeated actions, or unchanging situations, emotions, and wishes
• It is one of the most common tenses in the English language

Formation

• This tense uses the base form of the verb, which is the infinitive without "to"
• In the third-person singular (he, she, it), the verb typically ends in "-s" or "-es"
• Examples include: I/you/we/they play; he/she/it plays

Affirmative Sentences

• These sentences follow the structure: Subject + base form of the verb (or verb + -s/-es for third-person singular)
• I work in London exemplifies this
• She lives in Paris is another example
• They eat pizza every Friday is a further example

Negative Sentences

• Negative sentences are formed as: Subject + do/does + not + base form of the verb
• "Do not" can be contracted to "don't," and "does not" to "doesn't"
• I do not (don't) like spicy food provides a specific example
• He does not (doesn't) speak Spanish shows another construction
• We do not (don't) go to the gym on Sundays demonstrates another example

Interrogative Sentences (Questions)

• These questions follow the structure: Do/Does + subject + base form of the verb?
• Short answers include: "Yes, I/we/you/they do" or "No, I/we/you/they don't" and "Yes, he/she/it does" or "No, he/she/it doesn't"
• Do you play the guitar? Yes, I do. / No, I don't. is an example
• Does she work here? Yes, she does. / No, she doesn't. shows another sample
• Do they live in New York? Yes, they do. / No, they don't gives a further example

Uses of the Present Simple

• Habits and Routines: Used to describe actions done regularly or habitually
  • I drink coffee every morning is a relevant instance
  • She goes to the gym three times a week acts as another instance
  • They watch TV in the evening is also applicable
• General Truths and Facts: Used to express statements always true or generally accepted
  • The sun rises in the east shows this
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius provides another instance
  • Cats like milk is also relevant
• Fixed Arrangements: Refers to events scheduled or fixed in the future, often with a specific time
  • The train leaves at 9 a.m. is an example
  • The meeting starts at 10:30 is another example
  • Her birthday is next week also applies
• Instructions or Directions: Used to give instructions or directions
  • You turn left at the traffic lights provides an example
  • First, you add the flour, then the eggs is another example
  • To open the application, you double-click the icon shows another case
• With Stative Verbs: Describes states, feelings, thoughts, and senses, verbs not usually used in continuous tenses
  • I love chocolate provides a relevant example
  • He knows the answer is another example
  • They believe in God is another example
• In Time Clauses and Conditional Sentences: Refers to the future in time clauses (introduced by words like "when," "as soon as," "until," "before," "after") and in the main clause of zero conditional sentences
  • I will call you when I arrive demonstrates its use
  • If you heat ice, it melts provides another instance
  • We will go to the beach as soon as the weather is nice is another instance
• Summaries of Plots (in literature, movies, etc.): Used to describe the action in a story or film
  • In the movie, the hero saves the day is an example
  • The book tells the story of a young boy provides another example
  • The play ends with a surprise twist is also applicable
• Headlines and Captions: Used to convey information concisely
  • President visits new factory provides an example
  • Local team wins championship is also applicable
  • Protesters march against new law provides another instance

Spelling Rules for Third-Person Singular

• Most verbs: add "-s"
  • Example: work becomes works
  • Example: play becomes plays
  • Example: eat becomes eats
• Verbs ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o: add "-es"
  • Example: miss becomes misses
  • Example: wash becomes washes
  • Example: watch becomes watches
  • Example: fix becomes fixes
  • Example: go becomes goes
• Verbs ending in consonant + "y": change "y" to "i" and add "-es"
  • Example: study becomes studies
  • Example: cry becomes cries
  • Example: try becomes tries
• Verbs ending in vowel + "y": just add "-s"
  • Example: play becomes plays
  • Example: enjoy becomes enjoys
  • Example: say becomes says

Signal Words/Adverbs of Frequency

• Used with adverbs of frequency to indicate how often an action occurs
  • Examples include always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
  • Also includes every day/week/month/year and on Mondays/Tuesdays, etc
• Adverbs of frequency usually go before the main verb but after the verb "to be"
  • Example: I always drink coffee in the morning
  • Example: She is never late for work
  • Example: They usually eat dinner at 7 p.m

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the "-s" in the third-person singular
  • Incorrect: He go to school
  • Correct: He goes to school
• Using the present continuous instead of the present simple for habits or general truths
  • Incorrect: I am drinking coffee every morning
  • Correct: I drink coffee every morning
  • Incorrect: Water is boiling at 100 degrees Celsius
  • Correct: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
• Using "do/does" in affirmative sentences (except for emphasis)
  • Incorrect: I do work in London
  • Correct: I work in London
• Mixing up "do/does" in questions and negative sentences
  • Incorrect: Does you like ice cream?
  • Correct: Do you like ice cream?
  • Incorrect: He don't like ice cream
  • Correct: He doesn't like ice cream