Present Simple Tense

TL;DR

The Present Simple describes habits, facts, and scheduled events that happen regularly or are generally true. You use the base form of the verb, adding an '-s' or '-es' for "he," "she," and "it." It's perfect for talking about routines or things that don't change often.

1. The Mental Model

Think of the Present Simple as your go-to tense for things that are always true or happen on repeat, like a broken record playing the same song. It's for actions that aren't happening right now, but generally happen.

2. The Core Material

The Present Simple tense is used for:

• Habits and Routines: Actions you do regularly.
• General Truths and Facts: Things that are always true.
• Scheduled Events: Things that are fixed in a timetable (like train schedules or class times).
• Instructions: Giving directions or commands.

2.1 Forming the Present Simple

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The basic structure is simple, but there's a small change for "he," "she," and "it."

Positive Sentences

• I, You, We, They: Use the base form of the verb.
  • Example: I eat breakfast every day.
  • Example: They work in an office.
• He, She, It: Add -s or -es to the base form of the verb.
  • Example: He eats breakfast every day.
  • Example: She works in an office.
  • Example: It rains a lot in spring.

Spelling Rules for -s/-es:

• Most verbs: just add -s (e.g., walk -> walks, play -> plays).
• Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -z, -o: add -es (e.g., watch -> watches, wash -> washes, kiss -> kisses, fix -> fixes, go -> goes).
• Verbs ending in a consonant + -y: change -y to -ies (e.g., study -> studies, cry -> cries). (But if it's a vowel + -y, just add -s: play -> plays).

Negative Sentences

To make a sentence negative, you use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) before the base form of the verb.

• I, You, We, They: Use don't + base verb.
  • Example: I don't eat meat.
  • Example: They don't like coffee.
• He, She, It: Use doesn't + base verb.
  • Example: He doesn't live here.
  • Example: She doesn't speak French.

Questions (Interrogative Sentences)

To ask a question, you use Do or Does at the beginning of the sentence.

• I, You, We, They: Do + subject + base verb?
  • Example: Do you live here?
  • Example: Do they play soccer?
• He, She, It: Does + subject + base verb?
  • Example: Does he work on weekends?
  • Example: Does it snow in winter?

WH-Questions

For questions starting with "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," or "how," you put the WH-word first.

• WH-word + do/does + subject + base verb?
  • Example: Where do you live?
  • Example: What does she do for a living?
  • Example: When does the train leave?

Here's a diagram to help you see the structure of forming sentences:

graph TD
    A["Start"] --> B{Sentence Type?};
    B -- Positive --> C{Subject: I, You, We, They?};
    C -- Yes --> D["Verb (base form)"];
    C -- No --> E["Verb + -s/-es (for He, She, It)"];
    B -- Negative --> F{Subject: I, You, We, They?};
    F -- Yes --> G["Don't + Verb (base form)"];
    F -- No --> H["Doesn't + Verb (base form)"];
    B -- Question --> I{Subject: I, You, We, They?};
    I -- Yes --> J["Do + Subject + Verb (base form)?"];
    I -- No --> K["Does + Subject + Verb (base form)?"];
    D --> L["End"];
    E --> L;
    G --> L;
    H --> L;
    J --> L;
    K --> L;

3. Worked Example

Let's take the verb "to read" and build different types of sentences.

1. Positive (He): He reads a book every night. (Added -s because of "he")
2. Positive (They): They read newspapers on Sundays. (Base form because of "they")
3. Negative (She): She doesn't read magazines. (Used "doesn't" and the base verb "read")
4. Negative (We): We don't read comics. (Used "don't" and the base verb "read")
5. Question (You): Do you read before bed? (Used "Do" and base verb "read")
6. Question (He): Does he read fast? (Used "Does" and base verb "read")
7. WH-Question (You): What do you read in your free time? (WH-word + do + subject + base verb)

4. Key Takeaways

• Use the Present Simple for habits, facts, schedules, and instructions.
• For "he," "she," and "it" in positive sentences, add "-s" or "-es" to the verb.
• For negatives, use "don't" or "doesn't" before the base verb.
• For questions, start with "Do" or "Does" before the subject and base verb.
• Remember the spelling rules for adding "-s" or "-es" (e.g., 'study' becomes 'studies').
• When using "don't" or "doesn't," the main verb always returns to its base form.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Forgetting to add "-s" or "-es" for "he," "she," or "it" in positive sentences.
• Adding "-s" or "-es" to the main verb when using "don't" or "doesn't" (e.g., "He doesn't likes" is wrong; it should be "He doesn't like").
• Using "do" with "he," "she," or "it" (e.g., "Do she work?" is wrong; it should be "Does she work?").
• Confusing it with actions happening right now (that's the Present Progressive).

5. Now Try It

Write 5 sentences about your daily routine using the Present Simple. Include at least one positive sentence, one negative sentence, one "yes/no" question, and one "WH-question." Make sure to use "he" or "she" for at least one of your sentences.

Success looks like: Correct use of verb endings (-s/-es), correct placement of "do/don't/does/doesn't," and all sentences clearly describing habitual actions or facts.