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.

Verb Ending	Rule	Examples
Most verbs	Add -s	work → works, eat → eats, run → runs
-ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -o	Add -es	watch → watches, wash → washes, go → goes
Consonant + y	Change y to -ies	study → studies, fly → flies, try → tries
Vowel + y	Add -s	play → plays, say → says, enjoy → enjoys

Present Simple	Present Continuous
I work in an office. (permanent job)	I am working from home today. (temporary)
She drinks tea every morning. (habit)	She is drinking coffee right now. (happening now)
The sun rises in the east. (fact)	Look! The sun is rising. (happening at this moment)

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
I / You / We / They	work	don't work	Do ... work?
He / She / It	works	doesn't work	Does ... work?

Present Simple Tense

All 12 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

Additional Exercise Types

Multiple Choice Quiz

Q&A Matching

Story Gap Fill

Error Correction

Word Order

What is the present simple tense in English?

✓ Positive

✗ Negative

? Question

When do you use the present simple tense?

Habits and Routines

General Truths and Scientific Facts

Permanent Situations

Timetables and Schedules

Likes, Dislikes, and Opinions

How do you form present simple sentences?

What are the third person -s rules in present simple?

What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?

What are stative verbs and why can't they be continuous?

Mental States

Emotions

Possession

Senses & Perception

Common Mistakes to Avoid

What are the most common present simple mistakes?

What time expressions go with present simple?

Frequently Asked Questions

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?

Sources

Speaking Practice: Present Simple

Tips for Discussion Practice

Free Downloads

Present Simple Infographics (3 Charts)

Worksheet (PDF)

Answer Key (PDF)

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