PRESENT SIMPLE

Affirmative
I work
You work
He works
She works
It works
We work
You work
They work

Negative
Long form

Question
Short Form

I do not work
I dont work
You do not work
You dont work
He does not work. He doesnt work.
She does not work. She doesnt work
It does not work. It doesnt work
We do not work.
We dont work.
You do not work. You dont work
.
They do not work. They dont work.

Do I work?
Do you work?
Does he work?
Does she work?
Does it work?
Do we work?
Do you work?
Do they work?

Yes, I do. No, I dont.

Yes, I do. No, I dont.
Yes, he does. No, he doesnt.
Yes, she does. No, she doesnt.
Yes, it does. No, it doesnt.
Yes, we do. No, we dont.
Yes, we do. No, we dont.
Yes, they do. No, they dont.

We use the Present Simple:

a) For things that are generally true or habitually happen.
British people like animals.

He works from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

b) For everyday actions or things that are repeated (usually with adverbs of frequency or expressions such
as every day, every week, every Monday, in the morning, on Mondays):
She usually plays tennis at the weekend.

We go to the gym every Friday.

c) General truths or laws of nature:

The sun sets in the west.

Water boils at 100 C.

Spelling rules for 3rd Person Singular:

-

Most verbs add an s in the 3rd Person Singular.

Verbs ending in ss, sh-, ch, x y o make the 3rd person singular adding -es
He misses, he finishes, he watches, he mixes, he goes

- Verbs ending in consonant + y make the 3rd person singular adding s:

He studies, he cries
- Verbs ending in vowel +y make the 3rd person singular adding ies.
He plays, he stays
* REMEMBER: We only add s to the 3rd person singular in the affirmative form.

EXERCISES
1. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

I ______ (play) football with my friends on Sundays.

Tina ______ (walk) to school every day.
We ______ (go) to bed at 10 oclock every night.
Penguins______ (live) in the Antarctic.
Tony ______ (study) Maths at university.

f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Jo and Peter ______ (visit) their grandparents every week.

Sally ______ (speak) Spanish.
Mike ______ (do) his homework every evening.
Susan ______ (wash) her hair every day.
Water ______ (boil) at 100 C.

2. Write the third person singular of the verbs in the list in the correct box.
dance, brush, open, try , fix, buy, put, kiss, like, dry, go, catch, wash, sit, fly, copy, teach, play, pass, begin,
say
-s

dances, ______________________________________________

-es

brushes, ______________________________________________

- ies tries, ______________________________________________

3. Make questions using the sentences below, as in the example:
a. John s father drives fast.
b. Tom play she guitar every day.
c. Sarah goes shopping on Mondays.
d. Fiona likes video games.
e. Mother watches TV in the afternoon.

Does Johns father drive fast?

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4. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple:

This restaurant is called Vienna. Ten people _________ (work) here. Julia Thomas is the owner. She
_________ (go) to the restaurant at four oclock in the afternoon. The waiters _________ (arrive) at half
past four. They ________ (set) the tables and ________ (tidy) the kitchen. The chef. Pierre Rousseau,
________ (prepare) the food in the evening. The restaurant ________ (open) at six oclock. Many people
________ (eat) here because the food is very good. The restaurant ________ (close) at one oclock in the
morning, and at half past one Julia, the chef and the waiters ________ (home).
5. Ask and answer questions as in the examples, using the present simple:
1. you / go to the restaurant / at four oclock?
2. the waiters / arrive / at four oclock?
3. you / set the tables?
4. the waiters / tidy the kitchen?
5. the chef / come / at half past four?
6. he / prepare the food?
7. many people / eat here?
8. the restaurant / open / at seven oclock?
9. the restaurant / close / at one oclock?

Do you go to the restaurant at four oclock? Yes, I do.

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