Present Simple Tense | A1 English Grammar

What is the Present Simple?

The Present Simple is used to talk about:
- Permanent facts and general truths — things that are always or usually true
- Habits and routines — actions that happen regularly
- Fixed schedules — timetables, programmes, calendars

It is the most frequently used tense in English.

Form

Positive

Subject	Verb form	Example
I / You / We / They	base form	I work. They live here.
He / She / It	base form + -s / -es	She works. He watches TV.

Spelling rules for he/she/it:

Rule	Base form	He/She/It form
Most verbs	work, play, read	works, plays, reads
Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o	wash, watch, go	washes, watches, goes
Verbs ending in consonant + -y	study, carry	studies, carries
Irregular	have	has

She studies English every day.
He goes to the gym on Mondays.
It costs ten dollars.

Negative

Subject	Structure	Example
I / You / We / They	don't + base form	I don't like coffee.
He / She / It	doesn't + base form	She doesn't work here.

I don't understand.
He doesn't eat meat.
They don't have a car.

Questions and Short Answers

Question	Positive answer	Negative answer
Do you live here?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Does she work late?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.
Do they speak English?	Yes, they do.	No, they don't.

"Do you drink coffee?" "Yes, I do."
"Does he know her?" "No, he doesn't."

Wh- Questions

Structure	Example
Wh- word + do/does + subject + base verb	Where do you live?
	What does she do?
	How often do they meet?

Core Uses

Use 1 — Habits and routines

The most common use: actions that happen regularly, often with a frequency adverb.

I get up at seven every morning.
She goes to the gym three times a week.
We have lunch at noon.
He checks his email first thing in the morning.

Common frequency adverbs (position: before the main verb, after to be):

Always	Usually	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
100%	~80%	~60%	~40%	~20%	0%

I always drink coffee in the morning.
She usually walks to work.
He never eats fast food.

Use 2 — Permanent facts and general truths

Things that are permanently true, or true for a long period.

The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Cats don't like water.
She lives in London. (= her permanent home)

Use 3 — Fixed timetables and schedules

Future events that are part of an official schedule (transport, programmes, etc.)

The train leaves at 8:15.
The film starts at 9 p.m.
The new semester begins on 3 September.

Use 4 — Instructions and directions

First, you open the app. Then you tap the login button.
You turn left at the traffic lights, then go straight on.

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

This is one of the most important distinctions at A1–A2 level.

Present Simple	Present Continuous
Habits and routines	Actions happening right now
She works in a hospital. (her job)	She's working late tonight. (tonight only)
I walk to school. (my routine)	I'm walking to school now. (at this moment)
General/permanent	Temporary/in progress

💡 With always: The Present Simple (She always works hard) states a habit. The Present Continuous (She's always losing her keys!) expresses mild irritation about a repeated behaviour.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

✗ Incorrect	✓ Correct	Why
She work every day.	She works every day.	He/She/It requires -s
He don't like it.	He doesn't like it.	He/She/It → doesn't
Does she works here?	Does she work here?	After does/do → use base form
I am going to school every day.	I go to school every day.	Routines → Present Simple
Where you live?	Where do you live?	Questions need do/does
He always is late.	He is always late.	always comes after to be, before other verbs

Real-World Examples

Talking about yourself:

I work in a bank. I start at nine and finish at five. I usually take the metro.

Talking about someone else:

My sister lives in Hanoi. She teaches maths. She doesn't have a car — she cycles everywhere.

General facts:

English uses the Latin alphabet. It has 26 letters.
The Amazon flows through Brazil.

Asking about routines:

"What time do you get up?" "I get up at 6:30."
"Do you cook at home?" "Sometimes. I usually order food online."

Summary

Use	Signal words	Example
Habits / routines	always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day	I go to the gym three times a week.
Permanent facts	(none specific)	She lives in Paris. Water freezes at 0°C.
General truths	(none specific)	The Earth orbits the Sun.
Timetables	at [time], on [day]	The bus leaves at 7:45.

💡 The key question: Is this a repeated habit or permanent fact?
If yes → use the Present Simple.
If it's happening right now or temporarily → use the Present Continuous.

Present Simple