In this blog post, we will be looking at some basic grammar, namely how to conjugate regular verbs in the Simple Present in English. The Simple Present, also referred to as Present Simple, is probably the most commonly used tense in the English language.
If you are learning or teaching English, you can also find downloadable educational resources with some exercises on this topic at up2dateSKILLS online stores: up2 and TPT.
Simple Present
When to use?
Use Present Simple for:
• facts, or things that always happen:
e.g.
I live in Paris.
Water boils at 100 °C (212 °F) at sea level.
• routines and habits:
e.g.
I get up early every day.
She plays tennis every Friday.
• timetable events:
e.g.
We leave London at 10.00 next Saturday.
School starts at 8.30 a.m.
Form
- In the affirmative the Simple Present has the same form as the infinitive but adds an -s for the third person singular (he, she, it).
- In the negative the verb do is used as an auxiliary verb, usually in the contracted form don’t. Doesn’t is used in the third person singular.
- In the interrogative the verb do is also used as an auxiliary verb. Does is used in the third person singular.
Printable worksheet for grammar practice
Content:
- help box explaining when to use the Simple Present with example sentences
- tables with verbs conjugated in the Simple Present
- multiple exercises to practice positive, negative and interrogative sentences
- tables to conjugate verbs
Included resources:
- Worksheet (normal PDF file)
- Worksheet (fillable PDF)
- Answer key (PDF)
- PowerPoint presentation to use in class with animated answer key
Some final words
Dear fellow teachers and students, I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. You can just share an example sentence in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
