Present Simple
Affirmative
Question
Negative
I work
you work
he/she/it works
do I work?
do you work?
does he/she/it work?
we work
they work
do we work?
do they work?
I do not work
you do not work
he/she /it does not
work
we do not work
they do not work
Most verbs – just add -s:
•
work – works
•
sit – sits
•
stay – stays
Ending in +y change to i add -es:
•
cry – cries
•
hurry – hurries
•
reply – replies
Ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh, -x add -es:
•
miss – misses
•
watch – watches
•
push – pushes
EXCEPTIONS!
•
have – has
•
go – goes
•
do – does
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Present Simple
When we use Present Simple?
1. Facts or permanent situations.
•
Cows eat grass. (NOT – Cows are eating grass.)
•
Water freezes at 0 degrees centigrade. (NOT – Water is freezing
at 0 degrees centigrade.)
•
Pater works in an office. (NOT – Peter is working in an office.)
2. Things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time.
•
I play football every weekend. (NOT – I am playing football
every weekend.)
•
Do you go to church every Sunday? (NOT – Are you going to
church every Sunday?)
•
My father washes his car once a month. (NOT – My father is
washing his car once a month.)
3. Demonstrations, series of events, commentary.
•
I double-click on the text to highlight. (NOT – I am doubleclicking…)
•
First I take a bowl and pour a cup of milk. (NOT – First I am
taking a bowl..)
•
Gerrard passes to Suarez. (NOT – Gerrard is passing to Suarez.)
4. Exception: Temporary situations.
•
I like this wine. (NOT – I am liking this wine.)
2
Present Simple
List of words used ONLY in the SIMPLE form:
•
believe
•
doubt
•
feel
•
imagine
•
know
•
know
•
like
•
hate
•
prefer
•
realise
•
recognize
•
remember
•
see
•
suppose
•
think
•
understand
•
want
•
wish
This chocolate cake is delicious. I want another cake please.
I love it!
3