Present Simple
When do we use the Present Simple?
The Present Simple is one of the most frequently used tenses in English.
1. repeated actions ( always, every week, never, often, sometimes)
My brother often plays football after school.
I always watch the news on television.
We usually visit my grandmother at the weekend.
2. things in general
Water freezes at 0°Celcius.
My parents live in London.
3. fixed arrangements, scheduled events (e.g. timetables)
The train to Glasgow leaves at 10:00 everyday.
The school term is from September 4th to December 19th.
4. sequence of actions in the present (first – then, after that)
First he gets the ball,then runs down the field, next looks up, shoots and scores. Goal!
After a busy day I have a hot bath, then I eat and after that I go to bed.
5. instructions
Watch carefully.
Sit down!
6. with stative verbs – which are not normally used in the Present Continuous (These verbs express states, possessions, feelings etc.)
I know him.
He likes reading.
This fish smells bad.
You will find a full list of these verbs here
7. Signal words
- always
- every day/week/year
- never
- often
- sometimes
- usually
8. Form
infinitive (3rd person singular he, she, it: infinitive + -s)
9. Examples
9.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Simple
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I work in a shop. | not possible |
You work in a shop. | |
He works in a shop. |
9.2. Negative sentences in the Present Simple
You must not negate a full verb in English. Always use the auxiliary do for negations and the infinitive of the verb.
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I do not work in a shop. | I don’t work in a shop. |
You do not work in a shop. | You don’t work in a shop. |
He does not work in a shop. | He doesn’t work in a shop. |
9.3. Questions in the Present Simple
You need the auxiliary do/does and the infinitive of the verb.
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
Do I work in a shop? | not possible |
Do you work in a shop? | |
Does he work in a shop? |