Present simple

form

We use the base form of the verb, and add -s for the third person singular.

| | Subjects | Form | | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | | + | I, you, we, they | work. | | | she, he, it | works. | | − | I, you, we, they | do not / don't work. | | | she, he, it | does not / doesn't work. | | ? | Do / Does + I, you, we, they / she, he, it | work? | | ? − | Do / Does + I, you, we, they / she, he, it + not | work? |

uses

We use the present simple:

to talk about regular habits or repeated actions:

• I get up really early and practise for an hour or so most days.
• I use the Internet just about every day.

Words that describe how often or when are often used (e.g. always, generally, normally, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day, every evening).

to talk about permanent situations:

• My parents own a restaurant.

Note: We use the present perfect, not the present simple, to say how long something has continued:

• I have worked there since I was 15. (not ~#work there since I was 15~ : see Unit 3)

to talk about facts or generally accepted truths:

• Students don't generally have much money.

• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (see Unit 17)

The following words are often used: generally, mainly, normally, usually, traditionally.

to give instructions and directions:

• You go down to the traffic lights, then you turn left.

• To start the programme, first you click on the icon on the desktop.

to tell stories and talk about films, books and plays:

• In the film, the tea lady falls in love with the Prime Minister.