Present Simple
Learn the Present Simple Tense with rules, structure, examples, uses, signal words, common mistakes, and practice questions in this beginner-friendly English grammar lesson.
Present Simple Tense
The Present Simple Tense (also called the Simple Present Tense) is used to describe habits, routines, facts, general truths, and scheduled events. It is one of the most commonly used tenses in English.
Examples
| Sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| I play football every Friday. | Habit |
| She studies every evening. | Routine |
| The sun rises in the east. | General truth |
| Water boils at 100°C. | Scientific fact |
| The train leaves at 8:00 a.m. | Fixed schedule |
Structure
Affirmative Sentence
Subject + Base Verb (+ s/es) + Object
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | play | I play cricket. |
| You | study | You study English. |
| We | work | We work together. |
| They | eat | They eat rice. |
| He | plays | He plays football. |
| She | studies | She studies every day. |
| It | rains | It rains a lot here. |
Add -s or -es to the verb when the subject is he, she, or it.
Negative Sentence
Subject + do/does + not + Base Verb + Object
| Subject | Example |
|---|---|
| I | I do not (don't) watch TV every day. |
| You | You do not like coffee. |
| We | We don't play tennis. |
| They | They don't live here. |
| He | He does not (doesn't) smoke. |
| She | She doesn't drive. |
| It | It doesn't work. |
After does/doesn't, always use the base form of the verb.
Interrogative Sentence
Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb + Object?
| Example |
|---|
| Do you play football? |
| Does she speak English? |
| Do they live in Dhaka? |
| Does Rahim study every day? |
When to Use the Present Simple Tense
1. Habits and Daily Routines
Use the Present Simple to describe actions that happen regularly.
Examples
- I wake up at 6 a.m.
- She drinks coffee every morning.
- They go to school by bus.
2. General Truths
Use it for facts that are always true.
Examples
- The earth moves around the sun.
- Water freezes at 0°C.
- Birds fly.
3. Scientific Facts
Examples
- Plants need sunlight.
- Ice melts when heated.
- The human body contains bones.
4. Permanent Situations
Use it to describe situations that are generally permanent.
Examples
- He lives in Sylhet.
- My father works in a bank.
- They own a small business.
5. Timetables and Scheduled Events
Use it for fixed schedules.
Examples
- The train leaves at 7:30 a.m.
- School starts at 9:00 a.m.
- The meeting begins at noon.
6. Instructions and Directions
Examples
- Turn left at the traffic signal.
- Mix the flour with water.
- Add sugar before serving.
Time Expressions (Signal Words)
These words often appear with the Present Simple Tense.
- always
- usually
- often
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
- every day
- every week
- every month
- every year
- on Mondays
- in the morning
Examples
- She always arrives on time.
- We visit our grandparents every weekend.
- He never tells lies.
Spelling Rules for Third-Person Singular
Add -s
Most verbs simply take -s.
| Base Verb | Third Person |
|---|---|
| play | plays |
| read | reads |
| eat | eats |
| work | works |
Add -es
Add -es to verbs ending in:
- s
- ss
- sh
- ch
- x
- z
- o
| Base Verb | Third Person |
|---|---|
| go | goes |
| watch | watches |
| wash | washes |
| fix | fixes |
| pass | passes |
Change y → ies
If a verb ends in a consonant + y, change y to ies.
| Base Verb | Third Person |
|---|---|
| study | studies |
| carry | carries |
| try | tries |
If the verb ends in a vowel + y, simply add -s.
| Base Verb | Third Person |
|---|---|
| play | plays |
| enjoy | enjoys |
| buy | buys |
Rules
- Use the base form of the verb with I, you, we, they.
- Use verb + s/es with he, she, it.
- Use do/does to make questions.
- Use do not/does not to make negative sentences.
- After does, always use the base form of the verb.
Common Mistakes
❌ He go to school every day.
✅ He goes to school every day.
❌ She doesn't goes to school.
✅ She doesn't go to school.
❌ Does he plays football?
✅ Does he play football?
❌ I am go to school every day.
✅ I go to school every day.
Quick Quiz
1. Which sentence is correct?
A. She go to school.
B. She goes to school.
C. She going to school.
D. She gone to school.
Answer: B
2. Which sentence is in the Present Simple Tense?
A. They are playing football.
B. They played football.
C. They play football every Friday.
D. They have played football.
Answer: C
3. Which sentence is correct?
A. Does she likes tea?
B. Does she like tea?
C. Does she liking tea?
D. Does she liked tea?
Answer: B
Summary
- The Present Simple Tense describes habits, routines, facts, general truths, and scheduled events.
- Use the base verb with I, you, we, they.
- Add -s or -es for he, she, it.
- Use do/does to form questions.
- Use do not/does not to form negative sentences.
- Time expressions such as always, usually, often, and every day are commonly used with this tense.