Present Simple Tenses in English Grammar

Present Simple Forms

• Affirmative:
  • I/you/we/they + base form of verb (e.g. I go, you go, we go, they go)
  • he/she/it + base form of verb + -s (e.g. he goes, she goes, it goes)
• Negative:
  • I/you/we/they + do not + base form of verb (e.g. I do not go, you do not go, we do not go, they do not go)
  • he/she/it + does not + base form of verb (e.g. he does not go, she does not go, it does not go)
• Interrogative:
  • do I/you/we/they + base form of verb (e.g. do I go, do you go, do we go, do they go)
  • does he/she/it + base form of verb (e.g. does he go, does she go, does it go)

Present Simple Uses

• Habits and routines:
  • I get up at 7 am every day.
  • She always eats breakfast at 8 am.
• General truths:
  • Water boils at 100°C.
  • The sun rises in the east.
• Schedules and timetables:
  • The bus leaves at 5 pm.
  • The train arrives at 10 am.
• Opinions and beliefs:
  • I think it's a great idea.
  • She believes in God.

Present Simple Grammar Rules

• -s/-es ending:
  • Third person singular (he/she/it) takes -s or -es ending (e.g. goes, watches, makes)
• Exceptions:
  • has, does, and is do not take -s or -es ending (e.g. he has, she does, it is)
• Verbs ending in -o, -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, or -z:
  • Add -es to form the third person singular (e.g. goes, watches, clashes, misses, taxes, freezes)

Present Simple Exercises

• Fill in the blanks:
  • I __________ (to go) to the gym every morning.
  • She __________ (to eat) breakfast at 8 am.
• Choose the correct form:
  • He __________ (to study) English at university.
    • studies
    • study
    • studying
• Write the correct sentence:
  • __________ you like coffee?
  • The sun __________ in the east.

Present Simple vs Continuous

• Present Simple:
  • Focus on the habit or routine, not the action itself
  • Emphasizes the general truth or fact
  • Often used with adverbs of frequency (e.g. always, usually, never)
• Present Continuous:
  • Focus on the action in progress, not the habit or routine
  • Emphasizes the temporary or changing nature of the action
  • Often used with adverbs of time (e.g. now, at the moment, currently)
• Contrast:
  • I go to the gym every day (habit) vs. I am going to the gym now (action in progress)