Understanding the Present Simple Tense

The Present Simple tense is one of the most commonly used verb tenses in English. It is used to talk about habits, routines, facts, repeated actions, and situations that are generally true.

What Is the Present Simple Tense?

The Present Simple tense describes actions that happen regularly or things that are true in the present.

Examples:

I wake up early every day.
She works in a hospital.
The sun rises in the east.
They play football on weekends.

Present Simple Structure

Sentence Type	Structure	Example
Positive	Subject + base verb (+ s/es)	He plays tennis.
Negative	Subject + do/does not + base verb	She does not like coffee.
Question	Do/Does + subject + base verb?	Do you speak English?

Using the Present Simple for Habits and Routines

We use the Present Simple to describe actions that happen regularly.

I go to work every day.
She drinks coffee in the morning.
They study English after school.

Using the Present Simple for Facts

We use this tense for facts, scientific truths, and things that are always or generally true.

Water boils at 100°C.
The Earth goes around the sun.
Dogs need food and water.

Using the Present Simple for Schedules

The Present Simple is used for fixed schedules and timetables.

The train leaves at 8 a.m.
The class starts at 9 o'clock.
The plane arrives at noon.

Third Person Singular Rules

With he, she, and it, we usually add -s or -es to the verb.

Verb	Example
work → works	She works at a bank.
play → plays	He plays football.
watch → watches	She watches TV.
go → goes	He goes to school.
study → studies	She studies English.

Negative Sentences in the Present Simple

Use do not (don't) with I, you, we, and they. Use does not (doesn't) with he, she, and it.

I do not like spicy food.
They don't work on Sundays.
She doesn't drive a car.
He doesn't speak French.

Questions in the Present Simple

Use Do or Does at the beginning of questions.

Do you live here?
Do they play tennis?
Does she work online?
Does he speak English?

Present Simple Time Expressions

Common words used with the Present Simple include:

always
usually
often
sometimes
rarely
never
every day
every week

Examples:

I usually wake up at 7 a.m.
She always helps her friends.
They never arrive late.

Common Mistakes With Present Simple

Incorrect	Correct
He work every day.	He works every day.
She don't like tea.	She doesn't like tea.
Does he plays football?	Does he play football?

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Present Simple	Present Continuous
I work every day.	I am working now.
She studies English.	She is studying English at the moment.
They play football on Fridays.	They are playing football now.

Present Simple Exercises

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb:

She _____ (work) in a school.
They _____ (play) basketball every weekend.
He _____ (go) to work by bus.
I _____ (study) English every day.

Present Simple Summary

The Present Simple describes habits, routines, facts, and repeated actions.
Use -s/-es with he, she, and it.
Use do/does for questions and negative sentences.
It is one of the most important tenses for everyday English communication.