Present simple

Do you know how to use the present simple? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

Look at these examples to see how we use the present simple.

I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
My dad phones me every day.
She doesn't like her job.
What time do you get up at weekends?

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

We can use the present simple to talk about things we do regularly.

I go to the gym three times a week.
We drink coffee at work.

We can also use it for things which are generally true.

She loves her job.
A lot of people work at home now.

Remember that we add s or es for he, she and it. Sometimes we also change y to i.

My favourite TV show starts at 8 o'clock.
She finishes work early on Fridays.
My brother studies at university.

The he, she and it forms for have, do and go are irregular.

He has a flat in the city centre.
She does yoga on Tuesdays.
My dog goes for a walk every morning.

For the negative, we use don't or doesn't.

We don't eat meat.
She doesn't have a lot of free time.

For questions, we use do or does.

Do you watch a lot of films?
Does he speak English?

We can answer questions with Yes, I/you/we/they do, Yes, he/she/it does, or No, I/you/we/they don't or No, he/she/it doesn't.

Do you like cheese?
Yes, I do.
Does she play football on Saturdays?
No, she doesn't.

We can also put question words like what, where, who or what time before do or does.

Where do you work?
What time does he have lunch?

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.