Look at these examples to see how we use the present simple.
I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
My dad phones me every day.
She doesn't like her job.
What time do you get up at weekends?
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
We can use the present simple to talk about things we do regularly.
I go to the gym three times a week.
We drink coffee at work.
We can also use it for things which are generally true.
She loves her job.
A lot of people work at home now.
Remember that we add s or es for he, she and it. Sometimes we also change y to i.
My favourite TV show starts at 8 o'clock.
She finishes work early on Fridays.
My brother studies at university.
The he, she and it forms for have, do and go are irregular.
He has a flat in the city centre.
She does yoga on Tuesdays.
My dog goes for a walk every morning.
For the negative, we use don't or doesn't.
We don't eat meat.
She doesn't have a lot of free time.
For questions, we use do or does.
Do you watch a lot of films?
Does he speak English?
| + Affirmative | - Negative | ? Question |
|---|---|---|
| I like ice cream. | I don't like ice cream. | Do I like ice cream? |
| You go to the gym. | You don't go to the gym. | Do you go to the gym? |
| He/she/it eats meat. | He/she/it doesn't eat meat. | Does he/she/it eat meat? |
| We watch a lot of films. | We don't watch a lot of films. | Do we watch a lot of films? |
| They work at home. | They don't work at home. | Do they work at home? |
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 cheese?
Yes, I do.Does she play football on Saturdays?
No, she doesn't.
Questions with question words
We can also put question words like what, where, who or what time before do or does.
Where do you work?
What time does he have lunch?
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
So, Can I use present continous to talk about future instead of present simple?
Hello mathlove,
Both present simple and continuous can be used to talk about the future, but they have different meanings.
Present simple is used to talk about things that are part of a normal routine or are part of a timetable:
Present continuous is used to describe single events which have been arranged/set up in advance:
You can read more about these uses and other ways of talking about the future here:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/talking-about-future
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
🔗 The he, she and it forms for have, do and go are irregular.
above its mistakenly written 'have' instead of 'has'
Hi zubairkhan,
In that sentence, "have, do and go" refer to the base forms of each verb. It's not saying that the he/she/it forms are "have, do and go".
Extending the sentence may make this clearer:
You can see examples of each one just below that sentence on the page above.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
Hello
example
i am working in London for week
can i say
i always wake up at 8 AM
i usually eat my breakfast outside
can i use Adverbs of Frequency to repeat the permanent and temporary action
Hello HLH,
Yes, that's right. When something is a habit or a repeated action you can use adverbs of frequency.
In your first sentence it should be 'for a week'. Everything else is fine.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I have known this topic however I have known about it more.
Hi,there.
I wounder why the question 'Why_cats sleep all the time? (SLEEP)' choice do not does. I think cat is animal belong to he/she/it. What the reason is chice do. Many thanks.
Hi KirkWAI,
One cat is "he/she/it". But "cats" is "they", because it means more than one cat. That's why the answer is "do". :)
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
hello,
why in the first phrase: ' what time does he start work?' I have 'START' and not STARTS, with 'he'.