Present simple

Routines, situations that happen regularly, habits, states

(stative verbs), general facts
Typical phrases:
 Adverbs of frequency: always, almost always, usually,
normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally,
seldom, rarely, hardly ever, never
 Time expressions: every
year/month/week/Sunday/day/morning/afternoon/eve
ning/night/hour/…, on Mondays, on weekdays, at
weekends, every now and then, from time to time, on a
regular/daily/monthly/hourly/yearly/weekly basis…
Main verbs:
(+) I/you/we/they + (adverb of frequency) + verb infinitive +
… + (time expression)
I go to work every day.
I often visit my grandma.
He/she/it + (adverb of frequency) + verb+s/es + … + (time
expression)
He drinks coffee.
It rains here every week.
(-) I/you/we/they + don’t + (adverb of frequency) + verb
infinitive + … + (time expression)
He/she/it + + doesn’t (adverb of frequency) + verb infinitive
+ … + (time expression)
You don’t drive your car on weekdays.
She doesn’t often come to the parties.
(?) (Wh Q word) + Do + I/you/we/they + (adverb of
frequency) + … + (time expression)?
(Wh Q word) + Does + he/she/it + (adverb of frequency) +
… + (time expression)?
What time do we start our swimming lesson?
Where does she live?
Do you know how to help me? Yes, I do.
Does he look after his cat? No, he doesn’t.
Yes, sb + do/does.
No, sb + don’t/doesn’t.
To be:
(+) I + am + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time expression)
He/she/it + is + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time
expression)
You/we/they + are + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time
expression)
I am a teacher.
She is never angry.
They are important guests at today’s party.
(-) I + am not + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time expression)
 He/she/it + isn’t + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time
expression)
You/we/they + aren’t + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time
expression)
You aren’t my boyfriend, stop calling me!
I am not a good dancer.
(?) INVERSION
(Wh Q word) + Am + I + (adverb of frequency) + … + (time
expression)?
(Wh Q word) + Is + he/she/it + (adverb of frequency) + … +
(time expression)?
(Wh Q word) + Are + you/we/they + (adverb of frequency) +
… + (time expression)?
Why are you jealous?
Who is that girl over there?
Is she an accountant? No, she isn’t.
Am I late to the meeting? Yes, you are.
Yes, sb + am/is/are.
No, sb + am not/isn’t/aren’t.
Present continuous
1) Talking about things that are happening right now.
I’m eating my breakfast now.
2) Talking about things that are happening around now.
We are staying abroad this week.
3) Fixed arrangements (you have it in your calendar)
She is flying to Paris on Saturday. (=she already has plane
tickets, she paid for the hotel etc)
4) Temporary situations
Normally I drink coffee, but this week I’m drinking tea.
5) Trends/situations gradually changing.
People are getting more worried about pollution.
6) Annoying behaviour of the others
He is always telling me what to do, I hate it!

Typical phrases: today, tonight, this

morning/afternoon/evening/night/week/month, at the
moment, now, right now
(+) I + am + verb+ing + … .
he/she/it + is + verb+ing + … .
you/we/they + are + verb+ing + … .
I am watching a film right now.
We are listening to music.
She is talking to her friend.
(-) I + am not + verb+ing + … .
 he/she/it + isn’t + verb+ing + … .
you/we/they + aren’t + verb+ing + … .
I am not leaving tonight.
It isn’t snowing right now.
They aren’t talking about the lesson.
(?) INVERSION
(Wh Q word) + Am + I + verb+ing + … ?
(Wh Q word) + Is + he/she/it + verb+ing + … ?
(Wh Q word) + Are + you/we/they + verb+ing + … ?
What is she looking for?
Why are they using their mobile phones now?
Am I causing trouble to you? No, you aren’t.
Are you trying to help me? Yes, I am.
Yes, sb + am/is/are.
No, sb + am not/isn’t/aren’t.