The tense for what is generally true
The Present Simple presents something as a fact, a normal situation or a repeated part of life. It does not focus on an action happening right now.
A routine can repeat before, around and after now: “I study every evening.”
Choose it for the context—not only a signal word
Habits and routines
Use it for actions that form a regular pattern.
Facts and general truths
Use it for information presented as generally true.
States
Use it for thoughts, feelings, possession and other states.
Repeated events
Use it when an event happens again and again.
Schedules and timetables
A fixed future schedule can use the Present Simple.
Instructions and time clauses
It appears in instructions and after words such as when or until.
Build the Present Simple
V1 means the base form of the verb: work, go, study.
He / She / It + V1-s / -es
Most verbs
work → works
read → reads
play → plays
Spelling changes
watch → watches
go → goes
study → studies
have → has
The verb be is different
Say what happens or is true
Use don’t or doesn’t + the base verb
He / She / It + does not (doesn’t) + V1
Important: after doesn’t, use the base verb. The third-person marker is already inside does: “She doesn’t work,” not “doesn’t works.”
Negative forms of be
I am not · You/We/They are not (aren’t) · He/She/It is not (isn’t)
Put do or does before the subject
Does + he / she / it + V1 …?
| Type | Question | Short answer | Full answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes / No | Do you work nearby? | Yes, I do. | Yes, I work nearby. |
| Yes / No | Does she like coffee? | No, she doesn’t. | No, she doesn’t like coffee. |
| WH- | Where do they live? | — | They live in Valencia. |
| WH- | When does the class start? | — | It starts at nine. |
Remember: “Does she like…?” The verb stays in its base form after does.
English you can actually use
Daily life
Work and study
Travel
Conversation
Notice what changes—and what does not
Wrong: She work every day.
Correct: She works every day.
Why? Add -s to the verb with she in an affirmative sentence.
Wrong: He doesn’t works here.
Correct: He doesn’t work here.
Why? Doesn’t already carries the third-person marking, so use V1 after it.
Wrong: Does she likes coffee?
Correct: Does she like coffee?
Why? Use the base verb after does.
Wrong: I am knowing him.
Correct: I know him.
Why? Know normally describes a state in this meaning, so the Present Simple is natural.
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Use the Present Simple for the normal fact or routine. Use the Present Continuous when you view an activity as in progress, current or temporary.
Normal / routine
Present Simple
I work from home.
This is my normal working situation.
She teaches English.
This is her regular occupation.
Current / temporary
Present Continuous
I am working from home this week.
This is a temporary situation now.
She is teaching English this semester.
This is her current, limited-period activity.
Check the rule without seeing the answer first
Fill in the blank
My brother ______ to work by bus every day. (go)
Choose the correct form
Which is correct? A) She study after dinner. B) She studies after dinner.
Make negative
Change this sentence: He drives to work.
Make a question
Change this sentence into a question: They live near here.
Correct the mistake
Does your sister works on Saturdays?
Write about your real routine
Write five Present Simple sentences about a normal weekday. Include:
- one positive sentence with I
- one positive sentence with he, she or a person’s name
- one negative sentence
- one Yes/No question
- one WH- question
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