Questions in English present simpl. The Present Simple Tense (Present Simple Tense)

Present Simple Tense is one of the most frequently used tenses in English. Therefore, immediately after studying the rules of use, it is important to consolidate Present Simple with examples of sentences in Russian.

affirmative sentences

Positive or affirmative sentences form the basis of all tenses in English language. Why? Because thanks to such sentences for a while with translation, you can consolidate the skill of building negative and interrogative sentences.

In Present Simple Tense, an ending is added to the verb -s And -es in the third person singular.

• He works at the factory. - He works at the factory.
• Mary lives in Paris. Mary lives in Paris.
• It snows a lot in winter. - It's snowing frequently in the winter.
• Tomas and I like playing football. Thomas and I love to play football.
• Steve always arrives at work in time. - Steve always arrives at work on time.
• They often see Tom because he lives near them. They often see Tom because he lives next to them.
• Children usually like drinking cocoa. Children usually like to drink cocoa.
• Julia is an artist. She draws very beautiful pictures. Julia is an artist. She paints beautiful pictures.
• I have got a big family. - I have a big family.
• She can speak three languages: Russian, English and Italian. – She can speak three languages: Russian, English and Italian.

It is important to learn how to work with verbs. So put the sentences above in the interrogative and negative forms.

Interrogative sentences

When studying Present Simple, translation of sentences plays an important role. Why? Because it helps to draw an analogy with the native language, to understand the topic and consolidate it in practice. How? Easily! Try putting the interrogative sentences below in the affirmative and negative forms.

Do/does Auxiliary verb used to ask a question in the Present Simple. But this rule does not apply to modal verbs and design have got.

Negative sentences

To consolidate the topic, put the sentences below in the affirmative and interrogative forms.

TOP 4 articleswho read along with this

Present Simple Tense(Russian Present Simple) is used more often than any other tense in English. Therefore, in order to speak English well, you need to learn how to use this tense correctly.

How can the past and future be, when the past no longer is, and the future is not yet? As for the present, if it were always present and never moved on to become the past, it would not be time, but eternity.

How can there be a past and a future when the past is no more and the future is not yet? What about the real one? If it always existed, it would never become the past, which means that it would not be time, but eternity.

~ Augustine of Hippo

The name itself present simple or the simple present tense already speaks for itself. And at first, many may mistakenly take it for a complete analogue of the present tense in Russian.

Yes indeed, Present Simple Tense (or Present Indefinite Tense) has a lot in common with it: we use this tense to describe simple, regular actions, habits, preferences. However, there are other special uses of the Present Simple tense in English, which you will learn about by reading this article.

So, let's figure out in order what this Present Indefinite Time is, how to form negation and questions in Present Simple and how to use it correctly.

Which is correct: Present Simple or Present Indefinite?

"Everything ingenious is simple." This is how I would like to describe the times of the Simple group, because “simple” is translated into Russian as “simple”, and the times themselves denote simple everyday actions.

To begin with, let's figure out why the well-known to us Present Simple Tense(Russian present simple tense) is often also called Present Indefinite(Russian Present Indefinite tense), and is there a difference between them.

present simple very often describes an action where the time is not specified. In the examples I work in LA(Russian I work in Los Angeles) or I live in NY(Russian I live in New York) the verb expresses the action in general; time, as such, is not specified.

That is why, Present Simple is also called Present Indefinite, because “indefinite” is translated as “indefinite”. And such a name in some cases better conveys the meaning of this time.

Though present simple called present (Russian present), it does not always describe an action that is happening now, at the present time. For an action taking place at the moment of speaking, use (Russian. Real long-term action).

So as we see present simple And Present Indefinite are just different names for the same time. By the way, two terms are also used in Russian when translating: the present simple and the present indefinite.

In linguistics and in teaching English, you may encounter both names, although the frequency of use of the names may vary depending on the region and the preferences of the publishers that print study guides for learners of English.

Present Simple: reference table

Reference table: Rules for the formation of an affirmative form, negation and questions in Present Simple and its use in English

As you can see from the table, the verbs in the Present Simple affirmative form coincide with the infinitive form without the to particle in all persons. except 3rd person singular adding ending -s/-es.

Auxiliary verbs do/does can be found in questions and denials, and even then not always. For example verb be(Russian to be) and modal verbs can(Russian to be able), must(Russian to be due), need(Rus. need) form a negative and an interrogative form in present simple without the help of an auxiliary verb.

In order to leave absolutely no questions, let's look at how the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms are formed in more detail and analyze everything with examples.

Education rules Present Simple: affirmative sentences

The Present Simple is called simple because auxiliary verbs are not used to form its affirmative form. Below are rules and reference tables Present Simple for the formation of affirmative, negative and interrogative forms in English.

Formation of the affirmative form Present Simple

The reference table for the formation of the affirmative form in Present Simple and the spelling rules for endings - (e) s for the 3rd person singular

Affirmative Present Simple- one of the few, for the formation of which no auxiliary verb is required, but endings are used, and then only in the 3rd person singular.

Remember!

To form an affirmative sentence in the Present Simple, use first form of the verb(infinitive) without particle to after the subject (subject performing the action). If the subject is in the 3rd person singular. numbers, the ending is added to the verb -(e)s

For example:

I work in a hotel(rus. I work in a hotel): I- subject, work- verb

We dance every Sunday(Russian We dance every Sunday): We- subject, dance- verb

My son plays in a band(Russian. My son plays in a band): my son- subject, plays- verb

If the action is done I(rus.ya), you(Russian you, you), we(Russian we), they(Russian they), plural noun ( boys- boys, dogs- dogs, friends- friends), then the verb does not change in any way.

However, if the action is performed he(rus.on), she(Russian she), it(Russian it, this, singular for inanimate objects), singular noun ( a girl- girl, a cat- cat Kitty, a friend- friend), then the ending -s is added to the verbs, sometimes -es.

Examples of affirmative sentences in Present Simple with translation:

Spelling rules for endings -s, -es in Present Simple.

Let's look at when verbs in the Present Simple take the ending -s, and when -es, and when they do not follow the rules, that is, they are exceptions.

1. To most verbs in the Present Indefinite tense in the 3rd person singular, the ending is added -s:

play plays(Russian plays)

sit-sits(Russian sits)

clean-cleans(Russian cleans)

2. Verbs that end in -s, -sh, -ch, tch, -x, -z, add an ending -es. This is due to the history of the language and the convenience of pronunciation: when two similar sounds are nearby, it is difficult for us to pronounce them without a vowel-link:

kiss-kisses(Russian kisses)

wish-wishes(Russian wishes)

march marches(Russian marches)

watch-watches(Russian looks)

box-boxes(Russian boxing)

buzz-buzzes(Russian buzzes)

3. Verbs ending in -o, also add an ending -es. Fortunately, there are few such verbs:

do-does(Russian does)

go-goes(Russian is coming)

4. If the verb ends in consonant and -y, the ending is used -es. In this case -y changes to -i :

cry-cries(Russian cries, screams)

study-studies(Russian studies)

try-tries(Russian tries)

5. If the verb ends in vowel and -y, just add the ending -s. There is no change to -y:

play plays(Russian plays)

pray-prays(Russian prays)

say-says(Russian speaking)

6. Verb have in Present Simple does not add endings -s or -es. For the 3rd person singular, the form is used has. Compare:

I have a cat(rus. I have a cat, literally - I have a dog)

He has a dog(Russian He has a dog, literally - He has a dog)

7. Verb be in Present Simple tense has my forms: am, is, are, which you can read about later in this article.

Negative and interrogative sentences in Present Simple

Present Simple: Examples of Negative Sentences

Reference table for the formation of the full and abbreviated negative form in Present Simple.

To say that we are NOT doing something, an auxiliary verb is used in negative sentences do does(for he, she, it

Remember!

To form negative sentences in Present Simple to an auxiliary verb do/does which stands between the subject and the main verb-predicate in the form of an infinitive, a negative particle is added not.

For example:

I don't watch(Russian I don't watch)

They don't study(Russian They don't study)

He doesn't paint(Russian. He doesn't draw)

The boy doesn't box(Russian boy does not box)

In the last two examples He doesn't paint(Russian. He does not draw) and The boy doesn't box(Russian boy does not box), as you noticed, the main verbs paint And box used indefinitely -(e)s, which is used to form the affirmative form in Present Simple, compare: He paints(Russian He draws), He boxes(Rus. He is boxing)

Important!

When using an auxiliary verb does to form a negation in Present Simple (3rd person singular) main verb loses the ending -(e)s: doesn't go, doesn't watch, doesn't play

This is due to the fact that the auxiliary verb does already finished -es, and you don't need to use it in the main verb. Below are 10 more examples of negative Present Simple sentences.

Examples of negative sentences in Present Simple with translation:

Forms don't And doesn't, as you probably already guessed, are an abbreviated form of do not And does not.

Abbreviated forms don't And doesn't used in colloquial speech, but it is better to give preference to the full form do not And does not.

Present Simple: interrogative sentences

Reference table for the formation of simple and special questions in Present Simple and short answers

An auxiliary verb is also used to form questions in the Present Simple. do(for 1st and 2nd person, 3rd person plural) or does(for he, she, it and for all nouns in the singular).

There are two types of questions: general and specific. General questions require a clear “Yes” or “No” answer, while specific questions are asked to clarify details and details.

Compare:

Do you like ice cream? -Yes, I do(rus. Do you like ice cream? - Yes)

Which ice cream do you like? - Chocolate(rus. What kind of ice cream do you like? - Chocolate)

Remember!

To ask a general question in Present Simple, you need to put an auxiliary verb do/does before the subject. Remember that when using an auxiliary verb does, ending -(e)s disappears from the main verb.

For example:

Do you live in Rostov?(Russian. Do you live in Rostov?)

Do they go to school?(Russian. Do they go to school?)

Does your brother have a car?(rus. Does your brother have a car?, dos. Does your brother have a car?)

Does the cat eat mice?(rus. Does this cat eat mice?)

Remember!

To ask a special question (Wh-question) in Present Simple, you need to put a question word What, Where, When etc. first, followed by an auxiliary verb do/does, then the subject and the main verb in the form of an infinitive, that is, without an ending -(e)s .

For example:

Where do you live?(rus. Where do you live?)

When do they go to school?(Russian. When do they go to school?)

What car does your brother have?(eng. What car does your brother have?)

Why does the cat eat mice?(eng. Why does this cat eat mice?)

Short answers to general questions in Present Simple are formed according to the scheme: Yes/No+ subject in the form of a personal pronoun ( I, he, we, you, etc.) and an auxiliary verb do/does for a positive answer or don"t/doesn"t for negative.

The auxiliary verb don "t / doesn" t in a short answer must necessarily be consistent with the subject: if they ask about your actions, then the answer will be about your actions, and not the actions of the interlocutor.

For example:

Do you love me?(rus. Do you love me?) - Yes, I do(Russian Yes, I love) or No, I don't(Russian No, I do not like)

Does your girlfriend like flowers?(rus. Does your girlfriend like flowers?) - Yes, she does(Russian Yes, loves) or No, she doesn't(Russian No, does not like)

Below are 10 more examples of Present Simple interrogative sentences.

Examples of interrogative sentences in Present Simple with translation:

The verb to be in Present Simple

Conjugation of the verb to be in the present tense: affirmative form, negation, questions and short answers

Everyone knows that there are exceptions to almost every rule. This was not without Present Simple Tense.

Below are the verb conjugation tables to be in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms in Present Simple:

Table: conjugation of the verb to be (am, is, are) in the present tense, statement

Table: conjugation of the verb to be (am, is, are) in the present tense, negation

Table: conjugation of the verb to be (am, is, are) in the present tense, questions

How do you see, verb to be conjugates by faces in Present Simple and has its own forms am, is, are. This is the only verb in English that has its own form depending on the person and number of the subject.

Rules for using Present Indefinite in English

Present Simple is a tense that is often used to describe regular actions that take place in the present.

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, Present Indefinite- this is the time that we use not only to describe actions taking place in the present tense.

This is a tense that can describe various actions, both occurring regularly and once, occurring in the present or even those that will occur in the future.

So let's figure it out when the Present Simple is used and what it conveys in English.

Present Simple for present tense

Present Indefinite is often used to refer to repeated actions in the present tense.

1. Present Simple is used to indicate condition, regular, repetitive actions, habits, daily routine.

In this meaning, Present Simple with a verb is often used adverbs of frequency(adverbs of frequency), designed to answer how often an action occurs:

100% always(Russian always)

85% usually(Russian usually)

60% often(Russian often)

50% sometimes(Russian sometimes)

10% hardly ever(Russian rarely)

0% never(Russian never)

You can read more about the hint words for Present Simple in the article, but now let's look at examples:

2. We also use the Present Simple when we say about scientific facts, the laws of nature, generally accepted statements and all known facts .

Example sentences with Present Simple:

3. Present Simple is also used when description of sequential actions, especially often found in the description of instructions, recipes, manuals.

Example sentences with Present Simple:

Present Simple for future tense

Using the Present Simple to indicate future actions that happen on schedule

1. We use Present Indefinite with future tense for schedules of trains, planes, screenings in the theater and cinema, concerts etc.

In this case, Present Simple shows that the action occurs regularly, repeats with some frequency.

Example sentences with Present Simple:

2. Another use case for the Present Simple for the future tense is conditional clauses (First Conditional).

(Russian Conditional sentences of the first type) denotes a real action that will definitely be performed in the near future, subject to some condition.

In such proposals present simple used in sentences if, even when the sentences refer to the future. They are translated into Russian by verbs in the future tense.

Example sentences with Present Simple:

3. A similar case of using the Present Simple to express the future tense is its use in subordinate clauses of time .

We use Present Simple after conjunctions when, as soon as, until, unless, before, after in subordinate clauses that indicate action in the future.

Example sentences with Present Simple:

In future articles, we will take a closer look at difference between Present Simple and other tenses in English that are relevant to the present.

Instead of a conclusion:

In this article, we tried to explain as simply as possible how the Present Simple is formed and when to use the Simple Indefinite tense in English.

As you have seen, there is nothing easier than building affirmative, interrogative or negative sentences in Present Simple to describe the constant, regular activities that happen to you on a daily basis.

And now we invite you to test your knowledge by completing the following test on Present Simple.

Exercises for Present Simple

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verb in Present Indefinite:

go(es), travel(s), fly(s), do(es), use(s), drink(s), live(s), want(s), visit(s), look(s), like(s)

We often ____ to foreign countries.
She ____ her homework every evening.
I don't often ____ coffee.
my friend ____ in a very big house.
They always ____ us in summer.
Why do you ____ so sad?
Tom and Ann ____ to the cinema every Friday.
We never ____ to our grandparents, we usually ____ a train.
Lilly ____ swimming and sunbathing a lot.
Richard's parents ____ him to go to a private school.

In contact with

The Present Simple Tense. Exercises from the cycle "English for Beginners"

Review grammar

Exercise 1. Divide the verbs into three columns depending on the reading of the ending -s/-es in the 3rd person singular: [s], [z], . If you forgot when -s/-es is added to an action verb, read it again

Work, go, know, change, buy, end, play, wash, ride, add, wish, drive, stay, watch, mix, open, do, say, clean, talk, visit, reach, sit, like, love, dance, close, speak, read, finish, fly, run.

If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, it changes to i.

EXAMPLE I fly ... - He flies ... but I buy ... - He buys ...

Exercise 2. Write the following verbs in the 3rd person singular form.

want hurry read eat think wash kiss catch have study carry fly cry go do

Before you go any further, memorize sentence construction patterns in Present Simple

Learning to build affirmative sentences in Present Simple

Exercise 3. Replace the pronoun I with the pronouns he or she according to the model.

Sample: I go to the office every day. — He go es to the office every day.

1. I write many letters every day. 2. I read books from the library. 3. I study grammar rules by heart 4. I usually go to work by bus. 5. I often meet my friends on the way to work. 6. I work in an office. 7. I come home very late. 8. I have dinner (supper) at 9 o'clock. 9. I go to bed at 12 o'clock. 10. I sleep very badly. 11. I often send emails in the evening. 12. I play the guitar every day.

Exercise 4. Add verb endings (-s or -es) where necessary.

1. Don't go … to school by bus. 2. She like … milk. 3. My father watch … TV in the evening. 4. I play tennis on Sundays. 5. My brother play … football quite well. 6. My sister sing … very well. 7. She wash … her face and hands in the morning and in the evening. 8. I usually drink … tea for breakfast. 9. Jane do … her English exercises after school. 10. Peter drive…a car.

Exercise 5. Choose from the brackets the correct form of the verb.

1. She (swim/swims) very well. 2. Luc (live/lives) in London. 3. Jack (come/comes) from the USA. 4. Betty (dance/dances) a little. 5. He (have/has) three brothers. 6. My granny (speak/speaks) French. 7. My cat (sleep/sleeps) on a mat. 8. I often (see/sees) Jane. 9. Ted (like/likes) music. 10. Chris (cook/cooks) cakes quite well.

Learning to build negative sentences in Present Simple

Remember the SCHEME for constructing a negative sentence.

es to the cinema.

He doesn't go to the movies. - Not doesn't go to the cinema.

Exercise 6. Change these sentences into negative ones. Use auxiliary verbs don't And doesn't.

1. Mary takes the dog for a walk in the evenings. 2. Peter buys a morning newspaper every day. 3. I come to every lesson. 4. We go to the seaside every summer. 5. You go shopping on Saturday mornings. 6. Peter plays the piano very well. 7. The sun rises in the west. 8. My big brother knows everything. nine. Dogs like cats. 10.Some children like chocolate. 11. It rains very often in summer.

Exercise 7. Fill in the blanks using don't or doesn't.

1. We … listen to the radio every night. 2. Mr Johnson … have a private office. 3. The boys … study at the library every day. 4. These exercises … seem very difficult. 5. The men… always eat at that cafe. 6. That tall man … work for this company. 7. The people… speak English very well.

Exercise 8. Make these sentences negative.

1. Bess helps her mother. 2. My friend plays the piano. 3. We listen to music. 4. You make a lot of mistakes. 5. The farmer works in the field. 6. The small boy rides a bike. 7. He looks at the pictures in the book. 8. The workman paints the house. 9. Richard and Henry swim in the river in summer. 10. John goes to school by tram. 11. She gets up at eight o'clock. 12. He has tea for breakfast. 13. She usually has dinner at two o'clock. 14. Peter lives in London.

Learning to build interrogative sentences in Present Simple

Question that starts with an auxiliary verb do/does, is called general. This question is in line with intonation question In russian language.

COMPARE

He often goes to the cinema. — He often go es to the cinema.

Does he often go to the cinema? — Does he often go to the cinema?

Exercise 9. Fill in the gaps using auxiliary verbs do or does.

1. … you want cream and sugar in your coffee? 2. …the children go to bed very early? 3. … that girl come from South America? 4. … you know that Italian student? 5. …Miss Stewart prefer coffee or tea? 6. … your English lessons seem very difficult? 7. … those two women understand that lesson?

Exercise 10. Change these sentences into interrogative ones. Ask general questions using auxiliary verbs do And does.

1. Mary takes the dog for a walk in the evenings. 2. Peter buys a morning newspaper every day. 3. I come to every lesson. 4. We go to the seaside every summer. 5. You go shopping on Saturday mornings. 6. Peter plays the piano very well. 7. The sun rises in the east. 8. My big brother knows everything. 9. Dogs don't like cats. 10. All children like chocolate. 11. It rains very often in autumn.

Exercise 10.1 Remember how to build short answer in Present Simple. Answer the questions.

1. Do you watch TV in the evening? 2. Do you go to bed late? 3. Do you sleep well? 4. Do you have breakfast at home? 5. Does your friend often visit you? 6. Does your friend read books? 7. Does it often rain in winter? 8. Does it often rain in autumn? 9. Does the sun rise in the west? 10. Does the sun rise in the east?

Exercise 11. Change these sentences into interrogative ones. Start questions with Wh-words in brackets.

1. Ann watches TV. (How often?)…
2.I write emails to my parents. (How often?)…
3. They have dinner in the evening. (What time/usually?) …
4. Tom works. (Where?) ...
5. Mark and his sister go to the cinema. (How often?)…
6. People do stupid things. (Why?) ...
7. The car breaks down. (How often?) ...

Exercise 12. Make interrogative sentences from these words. Use the question outline (?)

1. buy/you/do/what/at the shops
2. is/who/that man
3. your parents/moment/where/at the/are
4. you/how/come/to school/do
5.is/your car/where

Exercise 13. Make up questions to these sentences, starting with the words in brackets.

The Green s— The Green family

1. The Greens live in Tomsk. (Where)
2. She lives in Green Street. (Where)
3. Grace usually has supper at nine o'clock. (when)
4. Tim reads many books. (Does)
5. Sally speaks Spanish. (Does)
6. We have English lessons on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Do... or...)
7. They work on a farm. (Where)
8. I make my bed in the morning. (Do)
9. The children play in the park, not in the square. (Do... or...)
10. They do their homework after school. (when)
11. I have a glass of milk for supper. (what)
12. We like watching TV in the evening. (Do)

Repetition

Exercise 14. Insert do or does instead of dots.
1. … do you sleep well? Yes, I… .
2. … your sister wash the plates? Yes, she ... .
3. What … the teacher ask you to do?
4. … Kitty read English books? Yes, she ... .
5. He… not like porridge.
6. We … not go to school in summer.

Exercise 15. Insert does, is or has instead of dots.
1. My sister … very clever.
2. What…she do?
3. Who… he?
4. She … a teacher at school.
5. Where...your sister live?
6. Gretna … a little village in the country.
7. …Mary fine?
8. … Sam have any pets?
9. This girl… called Mary.
10. She … a lot of friends.

Exercise 16. Put the verbs given in brackets in the correct form.
1. Not (be) a good footballer. 2. We (be) at school. 3. The roses (be) very beautiful. 4. I (have) an interesting book. 5. The sun (be) very hot. 6. I (do) my lessons carefully (carefully). 7. Elizabeth (have) a new dress. 8. The students (do) English lessons three times a week. 9. I (have) a camera. 10. Harry (be) a tennis player. 11. Tony (have) a coat. 12. The children's hands (be) dirty. 13. Mike (be) late for school. 14. Ted (be) a good swimmer.

Exercise 17. Make up questions from the following words. Be mindful of word order in a sentence.
1. Does/what/up/get/she/time?
2. Do/breakfast/does/what/she/before?
3. For/does/have/breakfast/she/what?
4. To/how/she/work/does/go?
5. She/does/what/evening/do/the/in?
6. Bed/time/does/to/what/she/go?

Exercise 18. Write questions to the answers.
1. (When…?)______________________
She gets up at eight o'clock.
2. (What ... do ...?) __________________
She has breakfast at nine o'clock.
3. (Where…?) _________
She works in the bookshop.
4. (Where…?) _________________
She has lunch in a cafe.
5. (When...?) _________________
She comes home at half past five.
6. (What… do?) ___________
She watches TV in the evening.
7. (When...?) _________________
She goes to bed at 10 o'clock.

Exercise 19. Make up questions from these words. Give them an answer. Make the necessary changes.

1. Where / you / come / from - _____________________
2. Where / you / live - __________________________
3. Where / you / work - __________________________
4. What / your father / do - _______________________
5. Where / your mother / live - _____________________

Exercise 20. Insert the adverbs in brackets into these sentences. Remember the place of adverbs in a sentence.

1. She comes home late. (Always)
2. George eats meat. (never)
3. You see her in the street. (sometimes)
4. Does Tim go to school by taxi? (usually)
5. We spend summer in France. (usually)
6. Tom and Tim go to the cinema on Mondays. (often)
7. My dog ​​barks. (sometimes)
8. Kate goes swimming. (often)
9. Simon does his English homework. (never)
10. I dance at discos. (seldom)

Exercise 21 Translate to English.

1. I usually get up at 7 o'clock. I love getting up early.
2. Children often walk after school. They don't want to go home.
3. My father always reads in the evening. He likes to read.
4. Sometimes she goes to the cinema. She doesn't like going to the theatre.
5. My mother rarely watches TV. Do you like to watch TV?

Exercise 22. Correct the mistakes in the sentences.

1. The stars shines in the sky.
2. I like watching sunset.
3. They do go to the seaside every year.
4. The leaves are falling down in autumn.
5. The sun bright.

I hope that by doing 22 exercises for Present Simple, You have learned how to make sentences grammatically correct. You can send them for verification to the teacher at the address [email protected] Validation cost all exercises 150 rubles. Selectively 1 sentence. - 1 ruble. If these exercises are not enough, we also recommend additional exercises on Present Simple Tense. FURTHER

There are 12 tenses in English instead of 3 habitual for Russian people. Today we will look at Present Simple Tense (or Present Indefinite). It is translated into Russian as "simple present tense".

With it, we talk about our habits and preferences, skills and daily activities.

This time is constantly used in English. Therefore, it is very important to fully understand and learn how to use it from the very beginning. This is perhaps the most basic tense in the English language. The base that our students master already at the first level of courses for adults.

In the article, I will explain to you how and when to use the Present Simple, and also tell you about all the nuances of its use.

• Affirmative sentences in Present Simple
• Verb endings -s and -es in Present simple

The use of Present Simple tense in English

Present Simple Tense is the present simple tense in English. This tense is used when we talk about activities that happen regularly.

For example: "She does exercises in the morning."

There are the following cases of using Present Simple:

1. About the activities that we do regularly, usually.
We go to work; he reads books; we play sports.

2. About someone's habits and preferences.
Do you enjoy watching comedies? she likes to eat sushi.

3. About the daily schedule, daily routine.
The bus arrives at 10:00; the plane to Paris leaves at 22:00

4. About your skills.
I read (I can read, but don't confuse it with "I'm currently reading"). He swims (he can swim). I speak English (I can speak English).

Please note that this is the time we do not use when talking about actions that are happening right now. For example: "I'm cooking (at the moment)."

Education rules affirmative sentences in Present Simple

The affirmative form of Present Simple is formed about a simple scheme:

1. If the action is performed:

• I - I
• you - you / you,
• we - we
• they - they

the verb does not change. Look at the table:

Sentence examples

I go to work every day.

They usually get up early.
They usually get up early.

2. When actions are performed:

• He - he
• she - she
• it - it

then the ending is added to the verb s/es. Pay attention to the verbs in the table.

Sentence examples

He play s football every Friday.
He plays football every Friday.

She like s green tea.
She likes green tea.

Verb endings -s and -es in Present Simple

Let us consider in more detail how the endings change if we use the pronouns he, she, it. Ending es we put in the following cases.

• verb ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z, -o

ki ss(kiss) - kiss es;
cat ch(grab) - catch es;
fi x(fix) - fix es;
g o(to go) - go es;

Examples

He wash es(wash - washes) his car often.
He often washes his car.

She miss es her brother (miss - misses).
She misses her brother.

• verb ends in -y and preceded by a consonant. In this case we replace -y with -i and add an ending -es.

fl y(fly) - fl ies;
hurr y(hurry up) - hurr ies.

For example

She stud ies(study - studies) five new words every day.
She learns five new words every day.

Ending -s we bet in all other cases.

Note: if the verb ends in -y and standing in front of her vowel, then we just add the ending -s.

l ay(put) - la ys;
st ay(stay) - sta ys.

For example

She pla ys tennis twice a week.
She plays tennis twice a week.

Special words used in Present Simple

There are some words that indicate and help determine what we have in front of Present Simple. All these words have in common that they show that the action is happening (or not happening) periodically.

• Always - always;
• often - often;
• usually - usually;
• sometimes - sometimes;
• rarely - rarely;
• never - never;
• every time, every morning, every evening, every day - every time, every morning, every evening, every day.

Seeing these words, you can immediately understand that we are talking about some kind of regular, usual action for us.

For example

She cook dinner usually by herself.
She usually cooks dinner by herself.

They never play football.
They are never don't play football.

Negative form in Present Simple

A negative sentence will be built in the same way as in Russian: using the particle not. For example, I go to work. Let's add "not" and it will turn out: I do not go to work.

The Present Simple particle not consists of an auxiliary verb do or does and particles not.

To make a sentence negative, we need to put "not" in front of the verb. That is, the proposal will be built according to the following scheme:

Actor + do/does not + action (initial verb).

Does we use when we are talking about one person (he, she, it), and in all other cases we must use do.

Sentence examples

Note that when we use do not And does not the ending s/es is no longer added to the verb. After all, it is these auxiliary verbs that show the time (read the article " Auxiliary verbs in English"). Why is it necessary to show 2 times that this is a real repeating tense?

See.

He does not read_books.
He doesn't read books.

We don't speak

He does not reads books.

How can do not and does not be abbreviated?

We can abbreviate not in the following way.

Don't = don't.
Does not = doesn't.

Interrogative form in Present Simple

To ask a question, you need to put auxiliary verbs do or does first in the proposal. In this case, the word order does not change, that is, it will be the same as in the affirmative form. The scheme for constructing a question in Present Simple is as follows

Do/does + actor + action (initial verb)?

As usual, we use does with he, she, it. In all other cases, we use do.

Please note that in the question the verb is in the initial form and its ending does not change.

Do es she like_ sweets?
Does she like sweets?

Statement

She usually drink s coffee in the morning.
She usually drinks coffee in the morning.

They eat different fruits every day.
They eat fruit every day.

Question

Does she usually drink coffee in the morning?
Does she usually drink coffee in the morning?

Do they eat different fruits every day?
Do they eat fruit every day?

Answering questions in Present Simple

Short positive answer will contain an auxiliary verb do/does, which will replace the action itself (drinks, eats).

Yes, she does.
Yes, he drinks.

Yes, they do.
Yes, they eat.

Full positive response will be constructed as an affirmative sentence.

Yes, she usually drink s coffee in the morning.
Yes, she usually drinks coffee in the morning.

Yes, they eat different fruits every day.
Yes, they eat fruit every day.

IN short negative answer to do/does we add not.

No, she does not.
No, he doesn't drink.

No, they do not.
No, they don't eat.

Full negative answer constructed as a negative sentence:

No, she does not drink coffee in the morning.
No, she doesn't usually drink coffee in the morning.

No, they do not eat different fruits every day.
No, they don't eat fruit every day.

Examples

Do do you speak English? — Yes, I do.
Do you speak English? - Yes talking.

Do do you speak English? - No, I do not.
Do you speak English? - No I do not speak.

Do they like to dance? Yes, they like to dance.
Do they like to dance? Yes, they like to dance.

Do they like to dance? — No, they do not like to dance.
Do they like to dance? No, they don't like to dance.

Does she play_tennis? — Yes, she does.
She plays tennis? Yes, he plays.

Does she play_tennis? — No, she does not.
She plays tennis? No, he doesn't play.

Does he like to travel? — Yes, he likes s to travel.
Does he like to travel? Yes, he likes to travel.

Does he like to travel? — No, he does not like to travel.
Does he like to travel? No, he doesn't like traveling.

Special questions in Present Simple

They should be used when you want to get some additional information. Word list:

• what - what
• where - where,
• which - what,
• why - why,
• when - when
• who - who,
• how - how.

Question words + do/does + character + action (initial verb)?

Examples

Why does he go to work?
Why does he go to work?

Where do you usually go?
Where do you usually go?

When does she come back?
When is she coming back?

What do they usually watch?
What do they usually watch?

Which tea does she drink?
What kind of tea does she drink?

Who do you live with?
Who do you live with?

The verb to be in Present Simple

There is a special verb in English - to be. This verb has three forms in the present tense: am, is, are.

Very often learners of English are confused when to use it in the present tense and when not. Because of this, mistakes are made.

Remember that we use the verb to be in Present Simple when we want to say:

• who what who/what is (she is a nurse);
• who what what is (my cat is grey);
• who what where is (dad at work).

That is, if we want describe the location something condition something or what is this object/person, then we use the verb to be.

For example

I am a doctor.
I am a doctor.

She is at home.
She is at home.

We are good singers.
We are good singers.

When you say a phrase and doubt whether it is necessary to put the verb be there, you can always check yourself by asking questions to the sentence: am I who / what, is where, is what? If in translation the words “is, is, is” give the sentence a logical meaning, then in English such a sentence will be correct.

And now let's summarize briefly and look at the general table of using Present Simple time.

General table of time usage Present Simple

So, Present Simple (simple present tense) is used in the following cases:

1. When talking about activities that we do regularly, usually.
2. When talking about someone's habits and preferences.
3. When it comes to daily schedule, daily routine.
4. When we talk about our skills.

Let's look at the formation of all types of sentences in this tense.

We have analyzed the time of Present Simple. It is quite simple, but you need to know how to use it correctly. If something remains unclear to you, feel free to ask your questions in the comments.

Useful related articles:

Reinforcement task

Now let's practice using Present Simple tense. I propose to translate the following sentences into English.

1. I love animals.
2. He doesn't work on weekends.
3. Do your parents travel every summer?
4. My brother doesn't go to the gym.
5. I am never late.

Elementary

What is this lesson about?

Special questions in English is a fairly simple topic. It is much simpler than the topic of questions with prepositions. The interrogative word or group of words is placed at the beginning, and then comes the standard word order of the construction of the question.

The lesson is intended for beginners. In addition to training special questions, the time of Present Simple is worked out.

After going through the grammar exercise aloud, we advise you to come up with not only options for posing the question, but also options for answering the question in the Letter exercise, even if this is not required by the task.

Have a good imagination when doing exercises,
Learnathome team

Phrase 1

In English, the special question "How often" does not differ from other questions in word order. It is more important to remember the place for OFTEN in the answer to this question. In Present Simple, it can be placed before a verb, between 2 verbs, or at the end, especially if it is reinforced with the word VERY.

Phrase 2

As in other special questions, we put the expression "What kind of music" at the beginning of the sentence, then comes the classic Present Simple word order. Instead of "music" can be anything. At the same time, countable objects are more often (but not always) in the plural, and uncountable - in the singular.

Phrase 3

Many people ask if there is a difference between "What time" and "When" questions? By and large, there is no difference, but "What time" is a little more punctual. This small difference for some in life can be very significant. Judge for yourself:

Phrase 5

The special question Why in Russian can be translated by the words why and why, but why is still preferable. Usually they forget about the word order next, especially if the question is built in a negative form.