Grammar Course / Present Simple

Present Simple Tense

The most fundamental tense in English. Learn how to talk about habits, facts, routines, and general truths.

Audio Pronunciation Affirmative / Negative / Questions Interactive Exercises

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Beginner Level

What is the Present Simple?

The Present Simple (also called Simple Present) is one of the most important tenses in English. It is used to express habits, routines, general truths, facts, and permanent situations. Unlike other tenses, it does not describe actions happening right now, but rather things that happen regularly or are always true.

Key idea: Present Simple = things that are generally true or happen repeatedly.

Pronunciation & Audio

Click the buttons below to hear the correct pronunciation of key verbs in Present Simple.

work / works

go / goes

study / studies

watch / watches

Form: How to Build the Present Simple

✅ Affirmative (Positive) Form

Subject + Verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)

I work in an office.

You speak English well.

He works at a hospital.

She goes to school by bus.

It rains a lot in winter.

We live in a big city.

They play football every weekend.

📝 Spelling Rules: Adding -s / -es

Most verbs: add -s → work → works, speak → speaks
Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: add -es → watch → watches, go → goes, fix → fixes
Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to i and add -es → study → studies, cry → cries
Verbs ending in vowel + y: add -s → play → plays, say → says
Special verbs: have → has, be → is

❌ Negative Form

Subject + do/does + not + verb (base form)

I do not (don't) like coffee.

You don't understand the question.

He does not (doesn't) work here.

She doesn't eat meat.

It doesn't rain much in summer.

We don't have a car.

They don't play tennis.

❓ Interrogative (Question) Form

Do/Does + subject + verb (base form)?

Do I need a ticket?

Do you speak Spanish?

Does he work on Sundays?

Does she like pizza?

Does it cost a lot?

Do we need to leave now?

Do they know the answer?

When to Use Present Simple

1. Habits & Routines

Actions that happen regularly

"I wake up at 7 AM every day."

"She brushes her teeth twice a day."

2. General Truths & Facts

Things that are always true

"The sun rises in the east."

"Water boils at 100°C."

3. Permanent Situations

States that are not temporary

"I live in London."

"She works as a doctor."

4. Schedules & Timetables

Future events on a fixed schedule

"The train leaves at 6 PM."

"The class starts at 9 AM."

More Examples

📖 Affirmative Examples:

My father works in a bank.
They play tennis every Saturday.
She speaks three languages.
The museum opens at 9 AM.

🚫 Negative Examples:

I don't like spicy food.
He doesn't watch television.
They don't have a car.
She doesn't eat fish.

❓ Question Examples:

Do you like coffee?
Does she work on weekends?
Where do they live?
What time does the movie start?

Interactive Exercises

Practice what you've learned. Choose the correct answer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect:

"She go to school."

✅ Correct:

"She goes to school."

❌ Incorrect:

"He don't like coffee."

✅ Correct:

"He doesn't like coffee."

❌ Incorrect:

"Does she works here?"

✅ Correct:

"Does she work here?"

❌ Incorrect:

"I am work in an office."

✅ Correct:

"I work in an office."

Quick Summary

Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative	Subject + verb (+s/es)	She works hard.
Negative	Subject + don't/doesn't + verb	She doesn't work here.
Question	Do/Does + subject + verb?	Does she work here?