Present Simple for Everyday English
Use the present simple accurately for routines, facts, preferences and regular activities.
Understand · You say · Check
A clear route through the lesson
Use this lesson for routines, facts and positive forms. Continue to Present Simple Questions and Negatives for focused conversation practice.
Read the explanations, answer aloud at each You say pause, then reveal the model and check one point. A model is one possible answer. Finish with the 5-question understanding check.
Keep the learner’s speaking time. At each You say pause, use the suggested follow-up and one correction focus. Finish with the 5-question understanding check.
A small spelling rule with a big effect
With he, she or it: work → works; watch → watches; study → studies. Change consonant + y to -ies. Keep y after a vowel: play → plays.
Maya works at home on Mondays. She studies English after work. At weekends, she plays tennis.
When do we use it?
Routines
I start work at nine.
Facts
Water freezes at 0°C.
Preferences
She enjoys documentaries.
Schedules
The lesson begins at ten.
Positive forms
Use the base verb with I, you, we and they. Add -s or -es with he, she and it.
| Subject | Example |
|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | We work online. |
| He / She / It | She works online. |
Negatives and questions
Use do not / don’t or does not / doesn’t plus the base verb. Questions begin with Do or Does.
Does your friend study English?
Where do they work?
Frequency words
Place always, usually, often, sometimes and never before most verbs, but after the verb be.
She is often busy on Mondays.
Practice
- My sister ___ (study) English twice a week.
- We ___ not ___ (drive) to work.
- ___ he ___ (like) speaking in public?
- They are / always / friendly. Put the words in order.
- Correct: She don’t work on Fridays.
Check the answers
- studies
Why: With she, consonant + y changes to -ies.
- do not drive / don’t drive
Why: Use do not or don’t + base verb with we.
- Does he like
Why: Does is followed by the base verb like.
- They are always friendly.
Why: The frequency adverb normally follows be.
- She doesn’t work on Fridays.
Why: With she, use doesn’t + base verb.
Optional extension: a longer speaking task
Compare your weekday and weekend routines. Prepare five statements, two negatives and three questions for your teacher. Add frequency expressions so your answers sound more precise.
Review basic sentence structure or continue to prepositions of place.
Final check
Check your understanding
Choose one answer for each question. Read the context carefully: a question may ask for a particular form, meaning or register. The explanations show why that answer fits.
0 of 5 questions answered
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