Unlocking the English Tenses Lesson 8: Present Simple

Welcome back, language learners!

Today we're delving into the present simple; one of our most commonly used tense aspects, so let's crack on and get an in-depth understanding of this handy piece of grammar

The present simple is used mainly for the following reasons:

1. To describe everyday occurrences/habits/routines/schedules

"Each morning when I wake up, I try to meditate for 15 minutes."

"The bus leaves at 17:00 every day."

2. To describe facts/things that are always true (for the sake of conciseness, we will include personal preferences as a fact)

"Cheetahs are the fastest land animal on the planet."

"You must be at least 120cm to ride this rollercoaster."

"Harry loves telling tall tales."

3. Commands/imperatives

"Don't touch that cake, it's not for you!"

"Get away from that wire!"

Present Simple Forms

Positive (+): subject + 1st form (present simple form) of the verb

I go to sleep at 23:00 every night

You go to sleep at 23:00 every night

He goes to sleep at 23:00 every night

She goes to sleep at 23:00 every night

It goes to sleep at 23:00 every night

Phillip goes to sleep at 23:00 every night

We go to sleep at 23:00 every night

Lara and Matej go to sleep at 23:00 every night

They go to sleep at 23:00 every night

Negative (-):subject + don't/doesn't + 1st form (present simple form) of the verb

I don't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

You don't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

He doesn't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

She doesn't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

It doesn't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

Phillip doesn't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

We don't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

Lara and Matej don't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

They don't go to sleep at 23:00 every night

Interrogative (?): do + subject + 1st form (present simple form) of the verb

Do I go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Do you go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Does he go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Does she go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Does it go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Does Phillip go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Do we go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Do Lara and Matej go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

Do they go to sleep at 23:00 every night?

We hope you found this lesson helpful, and stay tuned until next week when we'll cover the present continuous tense aspect to complete this section of our course

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