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Unit 11
Present Simple
Habits, routines, facts, and schedules
When to Use Present Simple
The Present Simple talks about habits, routines, facts, general truths, and fixed schedules. It describes things that are generally true — NOT what's happening right now.
If something is happening at this moment, we use the Present Continuous (see the Present Continuous unit). But for things that happen regularly or are always true, we use Present Simple.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Habits / Routines | I go to work at 9 a.m. every day. |
| Facts / General truths | Water boils at 100°C. |
| Schedules / Timetables | The train leaves at 7 o'clock. |
| Permanent situations | He lives in Ankara. |
| Instructions | First, you open the app and log in. |
| Likes / Dislikes / Opinions | I love coffee. / She thinks it's a good idea. |
Form
The trick is the -s/-es ending for he/she/it. Most learners forget this!
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | base form | I play football. |
| He / She / It | base + -s/-es | She plays football. |
Spelling Rules for -s / -es
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| Most verbs: just add -s | work → works · read → reads · play → plays |
| Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -o: add -es | watch → watches · go → goes · fix → fixes |
| Consonant + y: change y to -ies | study → studies · carry → carries |
| Vowel + y: just add -s | play → plays · buy → buys · enjoy → enjoys |
| Special: irregular forms | have → has · do → does |
Saying the -s Ending
- /s/ after p, t, k, f: works, eats, stops
- /z/ after most other sounds: plays, lives, reads
- /ɪz/ (an extra syllable) after s, z, sh, ch, x: watches, washes, fixes, closes
- Don't forget the ending in speaking! "She work" is one of the most noticeable mistakes.
Negatives
⚠ Critical rule: After "doesn't" or "does", use the BASE form — never add -s!
❌ She doesn't likes coffee. ✅ She doesn't like coffee.
| Subject | Auxiliary | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | don't | base form | I don't like tea. |
| He / She / It | doesn't | base form | She doesn't eat meat. |
Questions
Short answers:
- Yes, I/you/we/they do. · No, I/you/we/they don't.
- Yes, he/she/it does. · No, he/she/it doesn't.
| Question Word | Auxiliary | Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Wh-) | do / does | subject | base form | Do you play tennis? / Does she work here? |
Adverbs of Frequency
Position rules:
- Before the main verb: I often drink tea.
- After "be": She is never late.
- Sometimes and usually can also start the sentence: Sometimes I work late. Don't put always or never at the start in normal sentences.
| Adverb | Frequency | Example |
|---|---|---|
| always | 100% | I always drink coffee. |
| usually | ~80% | She usually takes the bus. |
| often | ~60% | We often eat out. |
| sometimes | ~40% | He sometimes watches TV. |
| rarely / seldom | ~20% | I rarely drink alcohol. |
| never | 0% | They never smoke. |
Time Expressions
- every day / week / month / year: I exercise every day.
- on Mondays / Fridays: We have meetings on Mondays.
- in the morning / afternoon / evening: I study in the morning.
- twice a week / three times a month: She goes to the gym twice a week.
Examples
Subject
Verb
Auxiliary
Object
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Hover over any word to see its role.
subjectSheverbreadsobjecta bookadverbevery night
↳ Habit — third person adds -s
subjectThe sunverbrisesprepositionin the east
↳ General truth — fact
subjectTheyauxiliarydon'tverbwatchobjectTVadverboften
↳ Negative — "don't" + base verb
auxiliaryDoessubjectheverbdriveobjectto work?
↳ Question — "does" + base "drive"
subjectIadverbusuallyverbget upadverbat 7
↳ Adverb "usually" before main verb
Common Mistakes
She don't like coffee.
→
She doesn't like coffee.
She/he/it → "doesn't" (not "don't").
Do he play football?
→
Does he play football?
He/she/it → "Does".
My mother cook dinner.
→
My mother cooks dinner.
"My mother" (= she) → add -s to the verb.
He doesn't likes pizza.
→
He doesn't like pizza.
After "doesn't", use BASE form (no -s).
The sun rise in the east.
→
The sun rises in the east.
"The sun" (= it) → add -s.
She studys English.
→
She studies English.
Consonant + y → change to -ies. Study → studies.
I often am tired.
→
I am often tired.
Frequency adverbs come AFTER "be", not before.
I am going to school every day.
→
I go to school every day.
Habits → Present Simple, even when Turkish uses -iyor.
Are you know him?
→
Do you know him?
Present Simple questions use do/does, not am/is/are.