Present Simple

We use the Present Simple Tense to talk about habits and routines.

1. We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We are not thinking only about the present. We use it to say something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general.

The earth goes round the sun.

Nurses look after patients in hospitals.
In Britain most of the shops close at 5.30 pm.
I work in a school. She works in a shop.

2. We use "do/does" to make questions and negative sentences in the present simple.

Do you know how to spell that word?
Does she understand Spanish?
I don't remember her name.
He doesn't work here any more.
What does CLEVER mean?
Where do you live?

3. We use the present simple when we say how often we do things (habitual actions). Note that frequency adverbs are placed before the (main) verb, EXCEPT if the verb is TO BE.

I get up at 9.00 every morning.
How often do you go to the gynecologist?
Ann doesn't often drink coffee.
When I have some spare time I usually read books
We seldom travel abroad.
They always bring flowers.
We are never at home in the mornings.

LET'S PRACTICE!

• Type the correct form of the verb.
• Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb.
• Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb 2.
• Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb 3.
• What's the best word to complete the sentence?
• Do or does?
• Change to negative form.
• Choose the correct answer.
• Present simple negation 1.
• Present simple negation 2.
• Present simple negation 3.
• Present simple negation 4.
• Translation 1.
• Translation 2.