Mastering the Simple Present Tense: Rules and Usage Guide
Meaning One Example
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Example 1 |
Jane teaches at a private school. She teaches science to secondary school students. |
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Meaning Explanation |
Note: The words in bold indicate the present simple. This meaning shows that Jane teaches (this is her job). It doesn't mean that she is teaching at this moment. This is something that happens regularly (she teaches regularly). She isn't teaching right now, but she teaches at a private school. |
Meaning Two Example
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Example 2 |
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. |
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Meaning Explanation |
Note: The words in bold indicate the present simple. This meaning shows Factual information: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This is always true and is Factual. |
Positive, Question and Negative Form
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Positive |
Question |
Negative |
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I |
work. |
Do |
I |
work? |
I |
do not (don't) |
work. |
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You |
you |
You |
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We |
we |
We |
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They |
they |
They |
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He |
works. |
Does |
he |
work? |
He |
does not (doesn't) |
work. |
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She |
she |
She |
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It |
it |
It |
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Another way to write:
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Affirmative |
I/you/we/they eat |
he/she/it eats |
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Negative |
I/you/we/they don’t eat |
he/she/it doesn’t eat |
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Question |
Do I/you/we/they eat? |
Does he/she/it eat? |
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Short answers |
Yes, I/you/we/they do. No, I/you/we/they don’t. |
Yes, he/she/it does. No, he/she/it doesn’t. |
Positive Structure
l/we/you/they + basic verb
He/she/it + basic verb + s
Example:
I walk home from work every day.
He walks very quickly.
Negative Structure
l/we/you/they + don't + basic verb
He/she/it + doesn't + basic verb
Example:
They don't watch television very much.
She doesn’t play outside too often.
Question Structure
Do + l/we/you/they + basic verb
Does + he/she/it + basic verb
Example:
Do they usually work hard?
Does he often go to the park?
Things to Note
For the present simple meaning one (things that happen regularly) we often use words and phrases to say how often we do things.
Phrases such as every day, twice a week, once a year, very often etc.
Things to Note
For example:
Jane teaches at the school five days a week.
I visit my parents once a month.
Sam goes to France very often for his job.