Lesson 9 of 46

Present simple

Talk about habits, facts, and schedules.

The rules

1.Use the present simple for habits, facts, and timetables: "I start at nine." "Water boils at 100°C."
2.Add -s or -es for he/she/it: works, watches, goes, studies.
3.Questions and negatives use do/does/don't/doesn't plus the base verb: "Does he work?" "He doesn't work."
4.Frequency adverbs (always, usually, never) go before the main verb but after "be": "She always arrives early." "She is always early."

Incorrect: ~~He go to work by bus.~~

Correct: He goes to work by bus.

Add -es for he/she/it.

Incorrect: ~~Does she works here?~~

Correct: Does she work here?

After does, use the base verb.

Incorrect: ~~She always is late.~~

Correct: She is always late.

Adverb goes after "be".

Watch out: The -s goes on the auxiliary (does) in questions and negatives, not on the main verb.

1. My manager ___ emails every morning.

2. He ___ like spicy food.

3. Which is correct?

Paste any text and see exactly what to fix, with the rule explained.