Look at these examples to see how we use the present simple.
I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
My dad phones me every day.
She doesn't like her job.
What time do you get up at weekends?
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
We can use the present simple to talk about things we do regularly.
I go to the gym three times a week.
We drink coffee at work.
We can also use it for things which are generally true.
She loves her job.
A lot of people work at home now.
Remember that we add s or es for he, she and it. Sometimes we also change y to i.
My favourite TV show starts at 8 o'clock.
She finishes work early on Fridays.
My brother studies at university.
The he, she and it forms for have, do and go are irregular.
He has a flat in the city centre.
She does yoga on Tuesdays.
My dog goes for a walk every morning.
For the negative, we use don't or doesn't.
We don't eat meat.
She doesn't have a lot of free time.
For questions, we use do or does.
Do you watch a lot of films?
Does he speak English?
| + Affirmative | - Negative | ? Question |
|---|---|---|
| I like ice cream. | I don't like ice cream. | Do I like ice cream? |
| You go to the gym. | You don't go to the gym. | Do you go to the gym? |
| He/she/it eats meat. | He/she/it doesn't eat meat. | Does he/she/it eat meat? |
| We watch a lot of films. | We don't watch a lot of films. | Do we watch a lot of films? |
| They work at home. | They don't work at home. | Do they work at home? |
Short answers
We can answer questions with Yes, I/you/we/they do, Yes, he/she/it does, or No, I/you/we/they don't or No, he/she/it doesn't.
Do you like cheese?
Yes, I do.Does she play football on Saturdays?
No, she doesn't.
Questions with question words
We can also put question words like what, where, who or what time before do or does.
Where do you work?
What time does he have lunch?
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Hi hi hi nothing changed in my mind
Hello sir. If in the same sentence we have two verbs, do we put them both in the same time?
Like example:
Do study verb come with (ing) ?
Hello Farahmorgan,
The sentence has a main verb (try) which is in the present continuous (am trying). This is followed by an infinitive (to study). You can read more about verb patterns like this on this page:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/verbs-followed-infinitive
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello sir. Why is simple present "does not" used rather than "will not" in the sentence: "I assure you that I will take extra precautions to ensure that this kind of accident does not happen again in the future."?
Is "will not" grammatically acceptable in this sentence?
Thanks for your time.
Hello Radioheady,
After ensure (that) you can use present or a modal verb like will:
All of these forms describe future time. Ensure (that) and phrases with similar meanings like make sure (that) and guarantee (that) are very flexible in that way.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you.
Hi, I like these examples.
I did that days ago, for that you should say:
I was walking to the bus station once
but if you did it today:
I am walking to the bus station
Hi Jonathan
simple present with performatives
1- Can I use any verb simple present with performatives or are there only some verbs ?
2 - Is the meaning now start by saying and finished in the present or doesn't finish ?
example
- I suggest you park outside the city and get the bus to the center (mean suggest starts by saying and finished in the present or doesn't finish )
- we request that you read the terms and conditions carefully before signing
(mean request starts by saying and finished in the present or doesn't finish )
3- Is simple present with performatives used with nouns or any pronouns ?
Hi HLH,
I'll try to help.
1. Only verbs that indicate some kind of performed speech act (e.g. suggest, declare, announce, thank, ask, apologise) can be used as performatives in the present simple.
2. The action happens together with the act of speaking. If I say e.g. I apologise, the action starts and finishes at the same time as the act of speaking. (Of course, the person's attitude may be to keep on feeling apologetic, but that attitude is separate from the act of speaking and apologising.)
3. I'm not sure I understand the question. Any nouns or pronouns can be used that are relevant to the verb and the situation.
I hope that helps.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team