- Use Present Simple for daily routines, habits, facts that are always true, and permanent situations like jobs or where you live.
- Add -s or -es to the verb only with he/she/it in positive sentences (work → works, teach → teaches).
- For negatives, use do not/don't with I/you/we/they and does not/doesn't with he/she/it, plus the base verb without -s.
- For questions, use Do with I/you/we/they and Does with he/she/it, followed by the subject and base verb without -s.
- Don't use Present Simple for actions happening right now at this moment - that needs Present Continuous instead.
Present Simple - Foundation (A2)
What is the Present Simple?
The Present Simple is one of the most important tenses in English. We use it to talk about things that happen regularly, facts that are always true, and habits in our daily life.
How to Form It
Positive Sentences
Formula: Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he/she/it)
- I work in an office
- You play tennis
- He lives in Berlin
- She teaches English
- It rains a lot here
- We like coffee
- They study German
Important Rule: Add -s or -es to the verb with he/she/it
- work → works
- teach → teaches
- go → goes
- have → has
Negative Sentences
Formula: Subject + do/does + not + base verb
- I do not work on Sundays (I don't work)
- You do not play football (You don't play)
- He does not live here (He doesn't live)
- She does not teach today (She doesn't teach)
- We do not like tea (We don't like)
Important: Use does not (doesn't) with he/she/it, and the main verb loses its -s!
- ❌ He doesn't works
- ✅ He doesn't work
Questions
Formula: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
- Do you work here?
- Does he live in Munich?
- Does she teach English?
- Do they study together?
Short Answers:
- Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
- Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.
- Yes, we do. / No, we don't.
When Do We Use Present Simple?
1. Daily Routines and Habits
Things you do regularly or repeatedly.
- I wake up at 7 AM every day.
- She drinks coffee every morning.
- We go to the gym three times a week.
- They watch TV in the evening.
Common time words: every day, always, usually, often, sometimes, never, on Mondays, in the morning
2. Facts and General Truths
Things that are always true.
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Dogs like bones.
- Germany has 16 states.
3. Permanent Situations
Things that are true for a long time or don't change.
- I live in Kleinmachnow.
- She works at DHL.
- He speaks three languages.
- They own a restaurant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting -s with he/she/it
- ❌ She work in Berlin.
- ✅ She works in Berlin.
Mistake 2: Adding -s in negatives and questions
- ❌ He doesn't works here.
- ✅ He doesn't work here.
- ❌ Does she likes pizza?
- ✅ Does she like pizza?
Mistake 3: Using Present Simple for happening now
- ❌ I work right now. (if you mean this moment)
- ✅ I'm working right now. (Present Continuous - for later!)
- ✅ I work at a bank. (my job - permanent)
Practice Examples
Fill in the gaps (answers at bottom):
- Maria _______ (study) English every day.
- I _______ (not/like) coffee.
- _______ he _______ (play) football?
- They _______ (live) in Hamburg.
- She _______ (not/work) on weekends.
Answers: 1. studies, 2. don't like (or do not like), 3. Does...play, 4. live, 5. doesn't work (or does not work)
Continue Learning: Present Simple
🟢 Foundation (A2) ← You are here
🟡 Development (B1) - Learn time expressions, frequency adverbs, and stative verbs
🟠 Advanced (B2) - Master narrative tenses, timetables, and subtle uses
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take the Present Simple - Foundation Quiz →
Part of the LearnFast.life Grammar Series
