Present Simple Tense – Rules, Uses & Examples
The present simple tense is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is used to talk about daily routines, habits, facts, and general truths.
Structure of Present Simple Tense
Affirmative Sentences
- Subject + base verb
- Subject + verb + s/es (for he, she, it)
Examples:
- I work every day.
- She works in an office.
Negative Sentences
- Subject + do not / does not + base verb
Examples:
- I do not like coffee.
- He does not play football.
Interrogative Sentences
- Do / Does + subject + base verb?
Examples:
- Do you live here?
- Does she study English?
Uses of Present Simple Tense
- Daily habits
- I wake up at 6 a.m.
- She drinks tea every morning.
- General facts
- The sun rises in the east.
- Water boils at 100°C.
- Scheduled events
- The train leaves at 9 p.m.
- The class starts tomorrow.
Common Time Expressions
- Always
- Usually
- Often
- Every day
- Sometimes
- Never
Example:
- He always arrives on time.
Common Mistakes
❌ He play cricket
✅ He plays cricket
❌ Does she likes music?
✅ Does she like music?
Why Learn Present Simple Tense?
- Used in everyday communication
- Essential for speaking and writing
- Foundation for learning other tenses
Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks:
- She ____ (work) in a bank.
- They ____ (play) football on Sundays.