Grammar Reference
Present Simple
Present simple
Meaning and use
We use the present simple for:
things that we do regularly
facts and truths
habits
permanent situations
Present simple
We use the present simple for things that we do regularly and for facts, habits, truths and
permanent situations. We often use time expressions like every day, once a week, on Fridays.
I check my email every day. (regular activity)
Yuki works at the bank. (permanent situation)
Form:
For positive sentences, use the same form as the infinitive without 'to' for I, you,
we and they. For he, she and it, add -s or -es to the infinitive. Make questions and negatives
with do / does + the infintive without 'to'.
They live in Rome.
Julian starts work at nine o’clock and finishes at five.
I don't eat meat.
It doesn't usually snow in October.
Why do you read the news online every day?
Does the supermarket sell stamps?
We often use adverbs of frequency and time expressions like every day, once a week, on
Fridays.
I check my email every day. (regular activity)
Sheryl works at the bank. (permanent situation)
We often use time expressions like at the moment, today, this week.
Just a minute. I’m checking my email. (now)
She usually works in London.
By warrant Officer Hesham Wahdani 😊
Form - Positive
The present simple has the same form as the infinitive without 'to'’ for I, you, we and they.
For he, she and it, we add -s or -es to the infinitive.
They live in Rome.
Julian starts work at nine o’clock and finishes at five.
Form - Negative
The negative present simple is subject + don’t (do not) + infinitive without
'to' for I, you, we and they, and subject + doesn’t (does not) + infinitive without
'to' for he, she and it.
I don’t eat meat.
It doesn’t usually snow in October.
Form - questions
The present simple question form is do/does + subject + infinitive without ‘to’.
Do you read the news online every day?
Does the supermarket sell stamps?
Take note: spelling changes
In the present simple, regular verbs end in -s or -es, but -y changes to -i.
marry – marries study – studies
In the present continuous, all verbs end in -ing, but sometimes the spelling changes.
make – making sit – sitting die – dying
Take note: spelling
In the present simple, regular verbs end in -s or -es, but -y changes to -i.
marry – marries
study – studies
By warrant Officer Hesham Wahdani 😊
Practice
Match questions 1-4 with answers a-d.
1 Does it snow in the UK? a My home’s in Brazil.
2 Do you work here? b Only in winter.
3 Where do you live? c Usually just coke.
4 What do you drink? d Yes, I’m the managing director.
Answers
1. Does it snow in the UK? (B) Only in winter.
[Use the present simple for truths and facts.]
2. Do you work here? (D) Yes, I’m the managing director.
[Use the present simple for permanent situations.]
3. Where do you live? (A) My home’s in Brazil.
[Use the present simple for permanent situations.]
4. What do you drink? (C) Usually just coke.
[Use the present simple for habits.]
By warrant Officer Hesham Wahdani 😊