Present Simple: I Work, You Live
I can describe ordinary routines with I, you, we and they.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
I work in a shop. You study English. We take the bus every morning. These are parts of our normal lives, not descriptions of one picture.
Read the situation transcript
I work in a shop. You study English. We take the bus every morning. These are parts of our normal lives, not descriptions of one picture.
Which words tell you that taking the bus is a routine?
Compare your idea
Every morning tells us it happens regularly.
How it works
Use the present simple for things you normally do. With I, you, we and they, use the base verb: work, live, study, walk.
A routine does not need to happen at this exact moment. I work in a shop can be true while I am at home. Use a time phrase such as every day to make the routine clear.
I/you/we/they + base verb. Example: We work on Mondays.
Notice this
I live near the station.
This says where my home is.
Compare this
You speak English.
This describes something you do or know how to do.
Hear the examples
I live near the station.
This says where my home is.
You speak English.
This describes something you do or know how to do.
We walk to work every day.
This is a repeated routine.
They study on Tuesdays.
This gives a regular study day.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: We are work in a shop.
Say: We work in a shop.
Do not add are before a base verb in this present-simple statement.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Say where you live.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I live near the sea.
Check yourself: Use live after I.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Say one thing you and a friend do every week.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
We play chess on Saturdays.
Check yourself: Use a base verb after we.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Describe a group’s routine.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
They take the bus every morning.
Check yourself: Choose a repeated activity, not only an action now.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Complete: I ___ English every evening. Use study.
Compare a model and explanation
I study English every evening.
I takes the base form study.
Self-check 2
Remove the extra word: They are work at night.
Compare a model and explanation
They work at night.
No form of be is needed before work here.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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I ___ near the park.
live: I takes the base form live.
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We ___ at nine every day.
start: We takes start without are.
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They ___ English on Mondays.
study: They takes the base form study.
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Which sentence describes a routine?
I walk to work every day.: Every day and the present simple describe a routine.
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Correct “You works here.”
You work here.: Use work with you; do not add -s or be.
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“I live in Quito.” What does this tell us?
Where my home is: Live in gives a place of residence, not a past journey.
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Choose a correct sentence.
We take the train.: We uses the base verb take.
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When do they study?
On Fridays: The routine is stated with on Fridays.
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Complete: You and I ___ together.
work: You and I means we, so use work.
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Does a routine sentence always describe an action happening now?
No: A normal routine can be true even when the action is not happening now.
Take it with you
I can describe ordinary routines with I, you, we and they.