Present simple tense

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

## Forms 
### 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**?*

## Uses of present simple tense 
### 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: ''''''m***) - used with ***I***
* ***is*** (short form: ***'s***) - used with ***she, he, it***
* ***are*** (short form: ***'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.''