Question 1

When do we use the present simple tense?

Accepted Answer

We use the present simple tense for: 1) Habits and routines (I drink coffee every morning), 2) Permanent situations (She lives in London), 3) General truths and facts (Water boils at 100°C), 4) Timetables and schedules (The train leaves at 9 AM), 5) Likes, dislikes, and opinions (I like pizza). It describes actions that happen regularly or facts that are always true.

Question 2

How do I form present simple positive sentences?

Accepted Answer

For positive sentences, use: Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he/she/it). Examples: I work, You work, He works, She plays, It runs, We study, They go. The only tricky part is remembering to add -s or -es for third person singular (he/she/it). Most verbs just add -s (work→works), but verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -o add -es (watch→watches, go→goes), and verbs ending in consonant+y change to -ies (study→studies).

Question 3

How do I form present simple negative sentences?

Accepted Answer

For negative sentences, use: Subject + don't/doesn't + base verb. Use "don't" for I, you, we, they and "doesn't" for he, she, it. Examples: I don't work, You don't work, He doesn't work, She doesn't play, They don't study. Important: The main verb stays in base form - do NOT add -s (He doesn't works is WRONG, He doesn't work is correct).

Question 4

How do I form present simple questions?

Accepted Answer

For yes/no questions, use: Do/Does + subject + base verb? Use "Do" for I, you, we, they and "Does" for he, she, it. Examples: Do you work?, Does she work?, Do they play? For wh-questions, add the question word at the beginning: What do you do?, Where does she live?, When do they arrive? Remember: The main verb always stays in base form in questions.

Question 5

What are the most common present simple mistakes?

Accepted Answer

Common mistakes include: 1) Forgetting the -s for he/she/it ("he work" should be "he works"), 2) Adding -s in negatives/questions ("he doesn't works" should be "he doesn't work"), 3) Using present continuous for stative verbs ("I am knowing" should be "I know"), 4) Wrong auxiliary in questions ("Does you work?" should be "Do you work?"), 5) Confusing present simple with present continuous (use simple for habits, continuous for actions happening now).

Question 6

What are stative verbs and how do they work with present simple?

Accepted Answer

Stative verbs describe states, not actions, and are normally used in present simple, not present continuous. Common stative verbs include: be, have (possession), like, love, want, need, know, understand, believe, think (opinion), remember, forget, prefer, seem, belong. Say "I know" (not "I am knowing"), "She wants" (not "She is wanting"), "They have a car" (not "They are having a car"). Our stative verbs exercise helps you master this important distinction.

Form	Rule	Examples	Common Mistakes
Positive	Add -s/-es for he/she/it	I work, She works, He watches	"He work" ❌
Negative	don't/doesn't + base verb	I don't work, She doesn't work	"She doesn't works" ❌
Question	Do/Does + subject + base verb?	Do you work?, Does she work?	"Does you work?" ❌
Third person -s	Most verbs: +s, -ch/-sh/-ss/-x/-o: +es, consonant+y: +ies	work→works, watch→watches, study→studies	"studys" ❌
Time expressions	always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week/month/year	I always wake up at 7 AM	"I am always waking up" ❌
Stative verbs	Use simple, not continuous	I know, She wants, They have	"I am knowing" ❌

Master the Present Simple Tense: Complete Guide & Practice

📚 The 12 Present Simple Exercises

Present Simple Positive Statements

Present Simple Negative Statements

Present Simple Questions

Present Simple Time Expressions

Third Person -s/-es Rules

Stative Verbs

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Wh-Questions

Daily Routines

Mixed Practice

Advanced Practice

Present Simple Final Test

📖 What Is the Present Simple Tense?

✅ Positive Form

❌ Negative Form

❓ Question Form

📋 Present Simple Rules Quick Reference

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Present Simple

When do we use the present simple tense?

How do I form present simple positive sentences?

How do I form present simple negative sentences?

How do I form present simple questions?

What are the most common present simple mistakes?

What are stative verbs and how do they work with present simple?

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