In this lesson we’re looking at the Present Simple in English.
We’re looking at how to form Present Simple sentences, when to add S at the end of the verbs, and how to form negative sentences and questions. You might also want to look at Comparing this tense to the Present Continuous, or how we can use the this tense to talk about the future.
If you need a dictionary while taking this lesson, have a look at the Online Cambridge Dictionary. Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below.
– James.
Lesson Contents
What is the Present Simple?
Here are a few examples of some sentences:
I live in London.
Marie drives to work every morning.
We love the beach.
Live, drives, and love are examples of verbs in the Present Simple. This tense is quite different from the Present Continuous, and the Present Perfect Simple.
How to use VERB+S
When you use the 3rd person singular (that’s when you’re talking about one person, or one thing, and that person or thing is not present) you have to add an S to the end of the verb. This only happens in affirmative sentences, however:
David loves Sarah.
(not “David love Sarah.“)
It works.
(not “It work.“)
Complete the Present Simple sentences in this quiz. Use the verbs in their correct form. Don’t forget to add s where necessary.
Your Words
| cause | connect | drink | live | open | speak | take |
When do we use the Present Simple?
This tense is used to talk about things in general, to say that something is true in general, and to say that something happens all the time:
We go to the restaurant every Saturday.
They work in the hospital.
It is cold in the mountains.
Forming questions and negative sentences
DO and DOES are the Auxiliary Verbs used when Forming Questions and negative sentences:
It doesn’t take long to get to London.
Where do you work?
I don’t know Paul.
What instruments does she play?
I / You / We / They → do
He / She / It → does
Sometimes, DO is also the main verb:
What do you do?
They don’t do the washing up.
Match the halves of the Present Simple sentences. Don’t forget to look at how the verbs are conjugated, and if the sentences are affirmative, negative or questions.
Other uses of the Present Simple
The Present Simple is also used to say how often things happen:
We take the bus at 6am every morning.
They sometimes drive to work.
We go to the beach every summer.
You can also use this tense with Modal Verbs such as MAY or MIGHT, or with expressions such as HAD BETTER & IT’S TIME.
Complete the Present Simple story by using the words in the boxes.
Your Words
| be | get | go | sleep | talk | watch | work |
Recap
- The Present Simple is used to say something is true in general, it happens all the time, or to say how often something happens.
- The auxiliaries are DO and DOES.
- We add an S at the end of 3rd person singular, affirmative sentences.
