Present simple — I work, she works
The present simple on its own: habits, routines, facts and timetables — the forms, the -s ending, negatives and questions.
This unit takes the present simple on its own — no comparison with another tense. Learn what it is for, then learn the forms.
A — When do we use the present simple?
We use the present simple in these situations:
1) Habits and routines
things you do again and again.
- I get up at seven o'clock.
- She drinks tea every morning.
- We play football on Saturdays.
2) Facts and things that are always true
they do not change.
- Water boils at 100°C.
- Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan.
- Cats sleep a lot.
3) Permanent situations
true about your life in general, not just today.
- I live in Ganja.
- My brother works in a bank.
- They study at university.
4) Timetables and programmes
fixed times — buses, trains, films, lessons.
- The train leaves at six o'clock.
- The lesson starts at nine.
- The shop closes at ten.
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- Present simple — form
- B — The -s ending (he / she / it)
- C — The golden rule for negatives and questions
- Time words that go with the present simple
- Where do we put always, usually, never?
Try it: Choose the correct form
He / she / it takes -s. Everything else does not.
- My sister ___ in a hospital.
(a) work (b) works (c) working - I ___ coffee in the morning.
(a) drinks (b) drink (c) am drink - Ali and Nigar ___ near the park.
(a) lives (b) live (c) living - The bus ___ at half past seven.
(a) leave (b) leaves (c) is leave - He ___ television every evening.
(a) watchs (b) watches (c) watch
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 5 exercises; the other 4 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →