Recently I received the following e-mail from Fast Song, an English Student:

Dear James,
Please could you help me with the present simple tense? I have many problems with this tense.
Yours truly and sincerely,
Fast Song (by e-mail)

Here is my reply:

Dear Fast Song,
Thank you so much for your e-mail. Actually, the present simple is one of the most complicated tenses in English, so don’t worry if you are having problems – it’s only natural.
The hardest thing is to remember to add the “s” with “he/she/it”, and to remember to use “do/does” with questions and negatives.

In general, we use the present simple to express our opinions about things. For example:
a) She loves football.
b) He thinks this is the best football team.

We can also use the present simple for facts. For example:
a) Water boils at 100ºC.
b) London is the capital of England.

We can also use the present simple to describe our habits. For example:
a) She reads the newspaper every morning.
b) They get up late every day.

Grammar exercise

Complete each sentence with the correct word/s.
1. She (work) ________________________ in a big office.
2. He (take) ________________________ the car to work.
3. They (not like) ________________________ to go out much.
4. She (not watch) ________________________ much television.
5. We (not go) ________________________ more than once a year.
6. They really (want) ________________________ to see you again.
7. I (not know) ________________________ what to do.
8. She (not have) ________________________ her own house.

Answers

1. Works
2. Takes
3. Don’t like
4. Doesn’t watch
5. Don’t go
6. Want
7. Don’t know
8. Doesn’t have