1. What is the Present Simple tense?
Form = verb (present simple)
e.g. he plays, they work , we go, etc.
2. When to use the Present Simple - 5 Example Situations
- We use the Present Simple tense in the following situations:
1. true facts
2. habits & routines
3. timetables / programmes
4. notices
5. instruction
3. How to Use the Present Simple Tense: Example Sentence
1. I do the housework on weekends.
2. My husband does the laundry twice a week.
3. Do you take coffee with milk? - Yes, I do.
4. What time does the shop open?
5. Do not run along the corridor.
6. Kurumi doesn't like shopping.
7. Kate and Will come home around 8 every evening.
8. Is that your umbrella? - No, it isn't.
9. Are you happy with your new job?
10. I take the bus every day.
4. How to form Verbs in the Present Simple tense - Example Sentence
(positive, negative, yes/no questions, short answers + short forms)
A. 'be' verb
i. (Positive) + short form
- I am ('m)
- you / we / they are ('re)
- he / she / it is ('s)
ii. (negative) + short form
- I am not ('m not)
- you / we / they are not ('re not, aren't)
- he /she /it is not ('s not , isn't)
iii. Yes / No Questions
- form ('be' + subject )
- Am I ...?
- Is he / she / it ...?
- Are you / we / they ...?
iv. Short Answers (positive)
- Yes, I am.
- Yes, you / we / they are.
- Yes, he / she / it is.
v. Short Answers (negative) + short form
- No, I am not ('m not).
- No, you / we / they are not ('re not / aren't).
- No, he / she / it is not ('s not / isn't)
B. verb - 'do'
i. (positive)
- I / you / we / they do
- he / she / it does
ii. (negative) + short form
- I / you / we / they do not (don't)
- he / she / it does not (doesn't)
iii. Yes / No Questions
form (do /does + subject + verb (base)
- Do I / we / they / you like ...?
- Does he / she / it like ...?
Short Answers
- Yes, I / you / we / they do.
- Yes, he / she / it does.
Short Answers + (short form)
- No, I / you / we / they do not (don't).
- No, he / she / it does not (doesn't).
iii. Wh- Question
- Who
- What
- Why + verb .....?
- How
- When
- Where
Grammar Check!
Note! (Verbs Spelling & Pronunciation Change):
Form - (He / She / It + verb (base) + s)
i) (Most Verbs) > + s
>> speak > speaks
cook > cooks
e.g. - He speaks Italian.
- Jenny cooks dinner every evening.
ii) Verbs (ending in consonant + y) >> change to -ies
e.g.
- cry >> The baby cries at night.
- try >> She tries her best all the time.
iii) Verbs (ending -s, -ch,-sh, -z, -x,) >> + es
e.g.
kiss - The mother kisses her little boy goodnight before bed.
touch - Tim touches the butterfly.
wash - May washes her hair almost every day.
buzz - The bee buzzes around the flowers.
coax - Nancy coaxes her little grandson to drink his milk.
iv) Verbs - go, do + es
e.g.
go - Pat goes to the office on weekends too.
do - My little brother does his homework every evening.
Learn English Speaking Tip!
Try using the short form as much as you can. You'll sound more natural.
Speaking Example 1:
a. Write: I am on my way now.
b. Say: I'm on my way now.
Speaking Example 2:
a. Write: Tom is busy at work.
b. Say: Tom's busy at work.
Speaking Example 3:
a. We write:
They are so cute together.
b. We say: They're so cute together..
5. Quick Recap!
i. When to use English Present Simple - Example Sentence
e.g.
1. (true facts) - It's a sunny day.
2. (habits & routines) - I take the bus every day.
3. (timetables / programmes) - The bus leaves every 15 minutes.
4. (notices) - We open at 9 am.
5. (instruction) - Leave your shoes at the shoe rack.
ii) Present Simple Practice - Example Sentence
1. Use the Present Simple for True Facts: Example Sentence
a). (Positive Sentence)
- Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
(Negative Sentence)
- Vatican City is not / isn’t the smallest country in the world.
(Yes/No Question)
- Is Vatican City the smallest country in the world?
(Short Answers)
- Yes, it is. No, it’s not / No, it isn’t.
(Wh- Questions)
- Which is the smallest country in the world?
b). (Positive Sentence)
- My colleagues are from India.
(Negative Sentence)
- They are not / aren't from India.
(Yes / No Question)
- Are your colleagues from India?
(Short Answers)
- Yes, they are. No, they aren't.
(Wh- Questions)
- Where are they from?
2. Use the Present Simple Tense for Habits / Routines With Time Expressions
Time Expressions you can use with the Present Simple Tense:
- usually,
- normally,
- every day,
- on Mondays,
- on weekends, etc
(Positive Sentence)
- My husband does yoga before breakfast on weekdays.
(Negative Sentence)
- He doesn't do yoga before breakfast on weekdays.
(Yes/No Question)
- Does he usually do yoga before breakfast?
(Short Answers)
- Yes, he does. No, he doesn’t.
(Wh- Questions)
- What does he usually do before breakfast?
- When does he do yoga?
Grammar Point!
How to use Adverbs of Frequency e.g. always, never etc.
3. Use the Present Simple Tense for Timetables / Programmes /Schedule
a. Programme
- The concert starts at 8.00 pm.
- It ends around 10 pm.
b. Schedule
What time do the shops open?
- Around 10, I think.
- What time do they close?
Sorry, I'm not sure.
c. Timetable
- What time does the first bus leave?
- The first bus leaves at 5 in the morning.
What time is the last train?
- 11.45 pm
4. Use the Present Simple Tense for Notices
( A Notice at the National Gallery)
DRESS CODE
There is no dress code for the Gallery.
However, do note that our exhibition spaces are climate controlled to conserve our artworks so it is advisable to bring something to keep yourself warm.
5.Use Present Simple Tense (Imperative Form) Instructions - To Express How to Make a Cup of Tea
Giving Instructions:
1. Put the teabag in a cup.
2. Pour boiling water.
3. Let steep for 5 minutes.
4. Add sugar and serve.
5. Enjoy.
6. Activity - Tell us about yourself : Use the Present Simple
Below is an example of how you can use the Present Simple Tense to introduce or talk about yourself, your interests and hobbies.
Lilla
I’m 22 this year and in the final year of university.
I want to be an English teacher someday.
I have classes all day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Monday and Wednesday mornings, too.
So weekdays are pretty hectic for me.
I mostly study on weekends.
I also work part-time for a few hours on Sundays as an English tutor to Japanese high school students.
I want to save enough money to travel around the world in the future.
I live at home with my parents and 2 cats, Ginger and Mimi.
Dad works in a bank and Mum teaches cooking classes at home.
I don’t enjoy cooking much. But, I love baking and enjoy making cupcakes the most.
Especially for friends and family on special occasions. Like birthdays or parties.
English Learning Tip 1
Why Study Tenses for Better English Speaking & Communication
i. Tenses tell us when the event happens.
ii. Note the different tenses & uses of the verbs in the following example sentences:
Check out our other posts on tenses>>
Present Simple I drink coffee every morning.
>>Present Continuous I'm drinking coffee at the cafe now.
>>Past Simple I drank coffee last night.
>>Present Perfect I've just drunk coffee.
>>Present Perfect Continuous I've been drinking coffee for 10 years.
>>Future Simple I'll drink coffee later.
7. Let's review!
How & when to use the Present Simple tense - Example Sentence
i. Make your own sentences based on each of the example.
ii. Write in your notebook. Say it out loud.
1. true facts
.................................................................................................................
2. habits & routines
.................................................................................................................
3. timetables /programmes /schedule
.................................................................................................................
4. notices
.................................................................................................................
5. instructions
.................................................................................................................
8. Talking Point - Your Conversation Practice
-Introduce yourself.
Talk about your daily routine. Your family. Likes and dislikes etc.
Thanks so much for reading & Happy speaking!
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