Present simple tense: Rules, usage, examples

Do you know how to use the present simple? Enhance your knowledge with the lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Look at these examples to see how we use the present simple:

• I drink coffee every morning.

• My brother calls me once a week.

• He doesn’t enjoy commuting to work.

• When do you usually go to bed?

Grammar explanation - Present simple tense

We use the present simple to talk about things we do regularly.

• I read a book every night before bed.

• We drink tea in the afternoon.

We also use it for things that are generally true.

• He enjoys playing the piano.

• Many people work from home now.

Remember that for he, she, and it, we add s or es to the verb, and sometimes y changes to i.

• The movie starts at 7 p.m.

• She finishes her work late on Wednesdays.

• My sister studies chemistry.

The he, she, and it forms for have, do, and go are irregular.

• He has a bike.

• She does pilates every morning.

• My cat goes outside in the afternoon.

For negative sentences, we use don’t or doesn’t.

• We don’t drink soda.

• She doesn’t watch TV often.

For questions, we use do or does.

• Do you play sports?

• Does he work on weekends?

1. 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 reading? Yes, I do.

• Does he swim every morning? No, he doesn’t.

2. Questions with question words

We can also add question words like what, where, who, or what time before do or does.

• Where do you study?

• What time does she get home?

Try another grammar lesson