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Present Simple Grammar

What is the present simple tense?

The present simple is a tense we use in English to talk about habits and truths. We can also use it to talk about the future.

Examples:

I go to the gym every week.

He lives in London.

The movies starts at 9pm.

Why do we use the present simple tense?

We can use the present simple to talk about:

habits and routines;
general truths;
scheduled events in the future;
feelings/stative verbs now; and
instructions.

1. Habits/routines

Examples:

He does not go to the gym every week.

Do you play tennis?

She eats chicken for lunch.

2. General truths

Examples:

Sydney is in Australia.

Does he work in London?

That table is not made out of wood.

3. Scheduled events in the near future

Examples:

Does the movie start at 9pm?

The train leaves at 8am.

The bus does not leave at 12pm.

4. Feelings/stative verbs now

Examples:

I feel good.

Does he have a phone?

He does not look happy.

5. Instructions

Examples:

1. Open the packet.

2. Pour the flour into the bowl.

3. Put some water in bowl.

How do I make the present simple?

Positive sentences with verbs

When we make positive sentences with verbs, we use one of these structures.

1. Singular subject + present verb (verb 1) + s/es

2. Plural subject / I / you + present verb (verb 1)

Examples:

He likes ice cream.

They like ice cream.

Positive sentences with the verb 'to be'

When we make positive sentences with the verb ‘to be’, we use one of these structures.

1. I + am

2. Singular subject + is

3. Plural subject / you + are

Examples:

I am happy.

He is happy.

They are happy.

Negative sentences with verbs

When we make negative verb sentences with the present simple tense, we use one of these two structures.

1. Singular subject + does + not + verb

2. Plural subject / I / you + do + not + verb

Examples:

He does not like ice cream.

I do like ice cream.

Negative sentences with the verb 'to be'

When we make negative ‘to be’ sentences with the present simple tense, we use one of these three structures.

1. I + am + not

2. Singular subject + is + not

3. Plural subject / you + are + not

Examples:

I am not happy.

He is not happy.

They are not happy.

Questions with verbs

When we make questions with verbs with the present simple tense, we use one of these two structures.

1. Do + plural subject / you / I + verb

2. Does + singular subject + verb

Examples:

Do you like ice cream?

Does he like ice cream?

Questions with the verb 'to be'

When we make questions with ‘to be’ with the present simple tense, we use one of these threestructures.

1. Am + I

2. Is + singular subject

3. Are + plural subject / you

Examples:

Am I happy?

Is he happy?

Are they happy?

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