Understanding the Present Simple Tense

The Present Simple tense is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It’s used to describe regular actions, facts, habits, or routines.

Form of the Present Simple:

Subject	Positive Form	Negative Form	Question Form
I/You/We/They	work, play, eat	don’t work, don’t play	Do I/you/we/they work?
He/She/It	works, plays, eats	doesn’t work, doesn’t play	Does he/she/it work?

When Do We Use the Present Simple?

(click to see examples)

Our typical daily routine: “I wake up at 7:00 AM every day.”

What we do at work: “She answers emails in the morning.”

Our job responsibilities: “I manage a team of five people.”

Hobbies and interests: “He plays football every Saturday.”

General facts or truths: “Water boils at 100°C.”

Scheduled events or timetables: “The train leaves at 9:00 AM.”

Permanent situations: “They live in New York.”

Likes and dislikes: “I don’t like spicy food.”

Things we do regularly or often: “I usually go to the gym in the evening.”

Expressing abilities or skills: “She speaks three languages.”

Examples:

• I study English every day. (positive)
• She speaks three languages. (positive)
• The Earth orbits the Sun. (positive)
• Do you play the guitar? (question)
• He doesn’t like to swim. (negative)

Short Exercise:

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the Present Simple:

1. He __________ (work) from 9 to 5.
2. They __________ (like) pizza.
3. My cat __________ (sleep) all day.
4. We __________ (study) English at school.
5. She __________ (not/go) to the gym on Mondays.
6. __________ you __________ (like) chocolate?
7. __________ he __________ (play) soccer on weekends?

(see the Answers)

Discussion Questions:

These questions are great for practicing the Present Simple. Try to answer them in full sentences using the correct form!

1. What time do you usually wake up in the morning?
2. Do you like to eat breakfast? What do you usually have?
3. What is your favorite hobby? Do you do it often?
4. Where do you work or study? How often do you go there?
5. Do you play any sports? If yes, which ones do you play regularly?
6. What does your friend do for a living?
7. Do you watch TV every day? What shows do you watch?

Answers to the exercise

1. works 2. like 3. sleeps 4. study 5. doesn’t go 6. Do, like 7. Does, play