Present simple

Simple Present

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

·       I play tennis.

·       She does not play tennis.

·       Does he play tennis?

·       The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.

·       The train does not leave at 9 AM.

·       When does the train usually leave?

·       She always forgets her purse.

·       He never forgets his wallet.

·       Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.

·       Does the Sun circle the Earth?

·         Structure

·         Positive

·         In the positive form add a ’s’ to the base

form of the 3rd person singular. If the

verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant,

change the -y to -ies.

·         I, You, We, They -> eat lunch at noon.

·         He, She, It -> works well in any situation.

·         Negative

·         Conjugate the helping verb 'do' not

(don't and doesn't) the base form of

the verb to make negatives.

·         I, You, We, They -> don't enjoy opera.

·         He, She, It -> doesn't belong to the club.

·         Questions

·         Conjugate the helping verb 'do'

(do or does) the base form of the verb

in question forms.

·         Do -> I, you, we, they -> work in this town?

·         Does -> he, she, it -> live in this city?

Exercises

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) -----------------------------her kids to football practice.

2. Usually, I (work) -----------------------as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) --------------------French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.

3. Shhhhh! be quiet! John (sleep) ---------------------.

4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) ------------------------.

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always)------------------.

6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) -------------------because everybody (talk)                                                                                                                             ------------------------so loudly.


7. Justin (write, currently) ------------------------------ a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished.

8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) ----------------------to a movie tonight with some friends.

9. The business cards (be, normally) -----------------------printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be) -----------------------inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.

10. This delicious chocolate (be) -----------------------made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.