Present simple tense

The **present simple** (also called "**simple present"**) tense mainly describes actions that happen frequently in the present time.

### Affirmative sentences

In affirmative (or positive) sentences, the base verb is used. If the subject is 3rd person singular (***she, he, it***) an ***s,*** ***es*** or ***ies*** is added to the verb.

- _I **run**._
- _We **run**._
- _You **run**._
- _They **run**._
- _She **runs**._
- _He **runs**._
- _It **runs**._

### Negative sentences

Negative sentences in the **present simple** are formed with ***do not*** or ***does not*** + base verb.

- _I **do not run**._
- _We **do not run**._
- _You **do not run**._
- _They **do not run**._
- _She **does not run***
- _He **does not run**._
- _It **does not run**._

In informal situations and in speech, the short forms ***don't*** / ***doesn't*** may be used.

### Questions

Yes / No question are formed using ***Do*** / ***Does*** + subject + base verb.

Wh-questions begin with one of the wh-question words.

(Wh-question words are: what, where, when, why, who, which, whose, how)

- ***Do** you **run**?_
- ***Do** they **run**?_
- ***Does** she **run**?_
- _Where **do** you **run**?_
- _When **does** he **run**?_
- _Why **does** it **run**?_

### General facts

Statements of facts, which are always true, are expressed using the present simple tense.

- _The sun **rises** in the east and **sets** in the west._
- _Birds **fly**._

### Habits and routine actions

Actions people frequently do, such as habits and routine actions, are expressed using the present simple tense.

- _We **visit** our grandparents every weekend._
- _I usually **listen** to a news summary before I **go** to bed._

### Actions that are true for a long time

These are actions that last for a long time like working or living in a certain place.

- _I **live** in a small apartment._
- _He **works** as a project manager._

### Scheduled events

These events happen at scheduled times: classes, flight, bus trips, train trips,TV shows, etc.

- _My science class **starts** at 9:00 am._
- _What time **does** the train **leave**?_

### With possible conditions

The present simple verb is used in if conditionals (if clauses) types 0 and 1 to talk about possible conditions.

- _If you **don't water** the plants, they **die**._
- _If she **contacts** us, we will let you know._

## The verb to be

The verb ***to be*** has 3 forms in the **present simple**.

- ***am*** (short form: ***<nowiki/>'m***) - used with ***I***
- ***is*** (short form: ***<nowiki/>'s***) - used with ***she, he, it***
- ***are*** (short form: ***<nowiki/>'re***) - used with ***we, you,  they***

The verb ***be*** is used to make affirmative and negative sentences and questions.

- _I **am** a doctor._
- _She **is** happy today._
- _We **aren't** ready yet._
- ***Is** he a lawyer?_
- _How far **is** your house?_
- _ I** am ** a Student**'

## Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency show how many times an action is repeated. The most common of these adverbs are: **always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never**. Other expressions of frequency include the word ***every (every day, every week, etc.)*** and the adverbs ***daily, weekly, etc_.**

Generally, adverbs of frequency come before the main verb of the sentence. However, if the main verb is a verb ***be***, the adverb comes after the verb.

- _He **sometimes brings** his son with him._
- _We **rarely eat** junk food._
- _She **is always_' helpful._