Simple Present
The simple present is used for habits, routines, facts, and general truths.
Formation
Affirmative
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | work |
| He / She / It | works |
Examples:
- I work in an office.
- She works in a hospital.
- They live in London.
- He lives in Paris.
Third-Person Singular Rules (-s/-es/-ies)
Add -s:
- work → works
- read → reads
- play → plays
Add -es (after -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o):
- go → goes
- do → does
- watch → watches
- wash → washes
- miss → misses
- fix → fixes
Change -y to -ies (after consonant + y):
- study → studies
- try → tries
- fly → flies
But: play → plays (vowel + y)
Negative
Use do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t):
| Subject | Negative |
|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | don’t work |
| He / She / It | doesn’t work |
Examples:
- I don’t like coffee.
- She doesn’t eat meat.
- They don’t live here.
Questions
Use do or does:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you work here? | Yes, I do. / No, I don’t. |
| Does she live here? | Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t. |
Wh-questions:
- Where do you work?
- What does he do?
- When do they arrive?
When to Use Simple Present
1. Habits and Routines
- I wake up at 7 every morning.
- She goes to the gym three times a week.
- They have dinner at 8 pm.
2. Facts and General Truths
- Water boils at 100°C.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Cats sleep a lot.
3. Permanent Situations
- I live in Berlin.
- She works for Google.
- He speaks three languages.
4. Schedules and Timetables
- The train leaves at 9:00.
- The movie starts at 7:30.
- The shop opens at 10.
5. Instructions and Directions
- You go straight and then turn left.
- First, you add the flour, then you mix it.
6. Sportscasting and Storytelling (vivid present)
- He passes to Müller, Müller shoots… Goal!
- So she walks into the room and says…
Time Expressions
Common adverbs with simple present:
- always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
- every day/week/month/year
- once/twice a week
- on Mondays, in the morning
Position:
- I always drink coffee. (before main verb)
- She is always late. (after “be”)
- He plays tennis every Saturday. (end of sentence)
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| She works here. | |
| He doesn’t like it. | |
| Does she like it? | |
| I work here. |
Practice
Complete with the correct form:
-
She ___ (study) English every day. → She studies English every day.
-
___ they ___ (live) in London? → Do they live in London?
-
He ___ (not/watch) TV in the morning. → He doesn’t watch TV in the morning.
The simple present in English is not used for actions happening right now — use the present continuous for that. Simple present describes habits, routines, and facts. This is one of the key differences from German, where the present tense (Präsens) covers both uses.