Rules and usage
The present simple is the most basic tense in English. It expresses facts, habits, routines, and states that are generally true. You use it for actions that happen regularly or permanently, without a specific connection to the moment of speaking.
When we use the present simple
- For facts and permanent situations: The Earth orbits the sun. My sister lives in London.
- For habits and routines: I drink coffee every morning. He plays tennis on Thursdays.
- For general truths: Water boils at 100 degrees. Birds have wings.
- For scheduled events in the future: The train leaves at 3 p.m. tomorrow. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.
- In stories and sports commentary to create immediacy: Hamlet enters the stage. The striker shoots and scores!
- For states and feelings: I like pizza. She knows French. They seem happy.
✅ Positive sentence examples
| English | English |
|---|
| I drink coffee every morning. | |
| She works as a teacher. | |
⛔ Negative sentence examples
| English | English |
|---|
| I don't like spicy food. | |
| She doesn't drive to work. | |
❓ Question sentence examples
| English | English |
|---|
| Do you speak English? | |
| Does she work here? | |