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Present Simple - Rules and exercises for intermediate level

Friday, 04 September 2009
Example of the present simple: She drinks coffee at breakfast. Example of the present simple: She drinks coffee at breakfast. This image by stokpic.com is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license

An overview of the present simple explains what rules you need to follow when using this tense, with examples and exercises to help you learn. This online lesson in English grammar is designed for intermediate level students.

Form of the present simple

The present simple is used when talking about and action that happens regularly. We often use the present simple with expressions like 'usually', 'often' or 'never', to describe the frequency in which events happen.

Present simple: positive and negative

I

You

We

They

live

don't live

in Leeds.

He

She

It

lives

doesn't live

Present simple: question

Where

do

I

you

we

they

work?

does

he

she

it

Present simple: short answer

 

Do you like apples

Yes, I do

No, I don't

Does she like apples?

Yes, she does

No, she doesn't

 

Present simple: be careful!

  1. Remember to always write or pronounce the 's' for he/she/it. At this level this error should be eliminated.
  2. To make questions and negatives we use 'do/does'.
  3. For questions note the inversion of the subject and the auxiliary verb 'do'.

Uses of the present simple

The present simple has three main uses.

1. An action of habit
  • Simon takes the train to work.
  • I play football every Saturday
  • She always has a cappuccino for breakfast.
2. Facts
3. States or actions that stay the same for a long time.
  • They live in Oxford.
  • Mary works in a bank.
  • You understand?

 

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published in Present Tense
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Last modified on Sunday, 05 February 2017 22:10

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