TENSE:

PRESENT SIMPLE:

Formation: To form the Present Simple Tense we use the verb's base form (go, work, speak, study).
In 3rd person singular (he, she, it), the base form of the verb takes -s/es.

Use 1: Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths(something is generally known to be true)

and scientific laws:

Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truth

It is a big house. Fact

The Earth goes around the Sun. Universal Truth, Fact

Dogs are better than cats. Generalization

Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Fact

The Elephant doesn't fly. Fact

London is the capital city of France. Fact

Use 2: Habits and Routines

We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example: habits,
routines, tendencies.
 We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine
 My husband watches the TV in the evening. Habit, Routine
 Susan often meets with her friends after school. Habit, Routine
 They usually play football on Sunday. Habit, Routine
 Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother. Tendency
 Pinocchio usually tells lies. Tendency
Adverbs of Frequency
The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:
 always
 frequently/often
 usually
 seldom/rarely
 nowadays
 never
 every week/year
 sometimes/occasionally
 from time to time
 every now and then
A few examples how to use them in sentences:
 I always go to church on Sundays.
 I never eat anything after 10 PM.

Narrations, Instructions or commentaries

The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke), instructions (e.g.
cooking) or commentaries (especially sport commentaries).
 "A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He
watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]"
Open your books at page 34.

or sports, commentaries, reviews (book, film, play, etc.) and narration.

Examples:

o John passes the ball to Johnny. But Johnny misses it.

o She plays her role marvellously.

o The witch suddenly appears out of nowhere and whacks him with the broom.

r instructions, directions.

Examples:

o Mix the flour and water together, then add sugar.

o Go straight on and when you come to the first traffic lights, turn left.

in newspaper headlines.

Examples:

o PRESIDENT DUNNO RESIGNS.

o POLICE DISCOVER MORE DEAD BODIES.

when we talk about permanent or long-lasting situations

I work in a bank.
2. Kate speaks English very well.
3. Tom lives in London.

Pernament Situations
Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.
 I live in Boston
 He works as a fireman.
 Margaret drives a Volkswagen.
 Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool
 Events Certain to Happen
Use the Present Simple when an event is certain to happen in the future.
 My grandmother turns 100 this July.
 Winter starts on December 21.

Conditions (not actions) taking place at this moment:

I agree.

Tom thinks it's a good idea.

They have a lot of money.

They don't have any money.

Do they have some money?

I feel so tired.

You are brilliant!

They don't need his help.

1. Affirmative (Positive) Sentences

Subject Verb (Present Tense) Rest of the sentence

I work on my website every day.

You learn English at home.

We like joyful music.

He speaks English well.

She writes a letter.

It takes time.

They play cricket every Sunday.

Rules:
 For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary verbs.
 If 3rd person singular (He, she, it) comes as a subject –(e)s is added to the simple form of the verb.
 2. Negative Sentences
Subject Auxiliary + Not Verb (Present Tense) Rest of the sentence

I do not work on my website every day.

You do not learn English at home.

We do not like joyful music.

He does not speak English well.

She does not write a letter.

It does not take time.

They do not play cricket every Sunday.

Rules:
 Auxiliary verbs “Do and Does” are necessary to use.
 I, We , You, They – Do.
 He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does.
 -(e)s is never used. It is only used in affirmative sentences.

3. Yes/No type Question

Auxiliary Subject Verb (Present Tense) Rest of the sentence?

Do I work on my website every day?

Do you learn English at home?

Do we like joyful music?

Does he speak English well?

Does She write a letter?

Does it take time?

Do they play cricket every Sunday?

Does Ram live in Chennai?

 Rules:
 The Auxiliary verb Do and Does are used in the beginning of the sentences.
 I, We , You, They – Do
 He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does
 -(e)s is never used. It ends with question mark (?).

4. Information Questions
Question Word Auxiliary Subject Verb(Present) Rest of the sentence?

When do I work on my website?

Where do you learn English?

Which music do we like ?

How does he speak English?

What does she write ?

How long does it take ?

Where do they play cricket every Sunday?

Where does Ram live ?

Rules:
 Question words are used in the beginning of the sentences.
 I, We , You, They – Do
 He, She, It (3rd person singular) – Does
 -(e)s is never used. It ends with question mark (?).

 1. Questions without question words in Simple

Present

Auxiliary
Auxiliary Subject Verb Rest Yes/No Subject
(+ n't)

Yes, I do.
Do you read books?
No, I don't.
 Auxiliary
Auxiliary Subject Verb Rest Yes/No Subject
(+ n't)

Yes, he does.
Does Peter play football?
No, he doesn't.

 2. Questions with question words in Simple

Present

Question
Auxiliary Subject Verb Rest Answer
word

on your I play games on my

What do you play
computer? computer.

your She goes to work at

When does go to work?
mother 6 o'clock.

I meet them at the

Where do you meet your friends?
bus stop.