Mastering the Present Simple Tense: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
The Present Simple tense is one of the first things you learn in English, but it’s also one of the most important. We use it every day! In this post, we’ll break it down in a fun and simple way with examples, a short story, common mistakes, and even a mini-quiz at the end. Let’s go!
1. When Do We Use the Present Simple?
We use the Present Simple for:
✅ Habits & Routines
I wake up at 7 AM.
She goes to school every day.
✅ Facts & General Truths
The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100°C.
✅ Schedules & Timetables
The train leaves at 9 PM.
My class starts at 8:30 AM.
✅ Likes, Dislikes, and Feelings
I love coffee.
He doesn’t like spicy food.
2. How to Form the Present Simple
A) Affirmative Sentences
Formula: Subject + Verb (+s/es for he/she/it)
⚡ Tip: Add -s or -es to verbs for he/she/it (e.g., go → goes, watch → watches).
B) Negative Sentences
Formula: Subject + do/does not + Verb
I don’t like football.
She doesn’t eat meat.
⚡ Tip: Use doesn’t for he/she/it and don’t for other subjects.
C) Questions
Formula: Do/Does + Subject + Verb?
Do you speak English?
Does he play football?
⚡ Tip: The main verb never changes in questions and negatives.
3. A Short Story Using Present Simple
Meet Anna. She lives in London and works as a teacher. Every day, she wakes up at 6 AM and drinks coffee. She doesn’t like tea. She teaches English to students. On weekends, she goes to the park and reads books.
Her best friend, Mike, doesn’t wake up early. He watches movies at night and plays video games. Anna always tells him, “Mike, you need more sleep!” but he never listens.
4. Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them!)
❌ He go to school every day. (Wrong)
✅ He goes to school every day. (Correct)
❌ She don’t like pizza. (Wrong)
✅ She doesn’t like pizza. (Correct)
❌ Does he likes football? (Wrong)
✅ Does he like football? (Correct)
5. Quick Quiz – Test Yourself!
1. She ___ (play) the piano every day.
2. They ___ (not/watch) TV in the morning.
3. ___ you (like) chocolate?
4. He ___ (study) English at school.
5. What time ___ the bus (leave)?
Comment your answers below!
The Present Simple tense is one of the first things you learn in English, but it’s also one of the most important. We use it every day! In this post, we’ll break it down in a fun and simple way with examples, a short story, common mistakes, and even a mini-quiz at the end. Let’s go!
1. When Do We Use the Present Simple?
We use the Present Simple for:
✅ Habits & Routines
I wake up at 7 AM.
She goes to school every day.
✅ Facts & General Truths
The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100°C.
✅ Schedules & Timetables
The train leaves at 9 PM.
My class starts at 8:30 AM.
✅ Likes, Dislikes, and Feelings
I love coffee.
He doesn’t like spicy food.
2. How to Form the Present Simple
A) Affirmative Sentences
Formula: Subject + Verb (+s/es for he/she/it)
⚡ Tip: Add -s or -es to verbs for he/she/it (e.g., go → goes, watch → watches).
B) Negative Sentences
Formula: Subject + do/does not + Verb
I don’t like football.
She doesn’t eat meat.
⚡ Tip: Use doesn’t for he/she/it and don’t for other subjects.
C) Questions
Formula: Do/Does + Subject + Verb?
Do you speak English?
Does he play football?
⚡ Tip: The main verb never changes in questions and negatives.
3. A Short Story Using Present Simple
Meet Anna. She lives in London and works as a teacher. Every day, she wakes up at 6 AM and drinks coffee. She doesn’t like tea. She teaches English to students. On weekends, she goes to the park and reads books.
Her best friend, Mike, doesn’t wake up early. He watches movies at night and plays video games. Anna always tells him, “Mike, you need more sleep!” but he never listens.
4. Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them!)
❌ He go to school every day. (Wrong)
✅ He goes to school every day. (Correct)
❌ She don’t like pizza. (Wrong)
✅ She doesn’t like pizza. (Correct)
❌ Does he likes football? (Wrong)
✅ Does he like football? (Correct)
5. Quick Quiz – Test Yourself!
1. She ___ (play) the piano every day.
2. They ___ (not/watch) TV in the morning.
3. ___ you (like) chocolate?
4. He ___ (study) English at school.
5. What time ___ the bus (leave)?
Comment your answers below!