Grammar videos: The present simple
Remember to watch the video first! Then read the
conversation between Sophie and Niwat, a student she
met in Thailand. Sophie is helping Niwat understand the
present simple.
We use the present simple to talk about repeated actions or events, permanent states or things
which are always true. To find out more about the present simple, read the conversation below.
Can you give me some examples?
Niwat Yes, of course. We use the present simple to talk about things which are
repeated every day, every week, every year, etc.
I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
During the week I have swimming practice on Mondays, I do
taekwondo on Tuesdays and tennis on Thursdays.
We always go on holiday in the summer.
Sophie
I see. And you use words for explaining more about the time too.
Yes, we often use adverbs of frequency sometimes, often, usually or other
time expressions like on Mondays, twice a week or in the summer.
What about permanent states? What does that mean?
Permanent states are situations or feelings which are not temporary.
I like him a lot.
Sophie works as a travel writer.
They live in London.
We also use the present simple for general facts, for example when talking
about science or geography.
Thailand is really hot at this time of year.
Snakes live on the ground, in trees and in water.
So what do I need to know about forming the present simple?
The main thing is that the third person singular forms end in -s or -es. That's
for he, she or it.
He watches black and white films at his cinema club on Wednesdays.
He thinks chess is a sport!
OK, and the other forms don't end in -s or -es?
I watch TV a lot. We think Coldplay are boring.
Correct!
What about questions and negatives?
For most verbs we use the present simple of the verb do/does + subject +
infinitive without to to form questions.
Do you see him on Wednesdays then?
Does Jack like sports?
For negatives we use the subject + do/does + not + infinitive without to.
Daisy and Jack don't go out together much at the weekend.
I don't think Coldplay are boring.
To go back to the idea of permanent and temporary things, what about this
sentence: Is your mum in Thailand this week? Isn't that temporary?
Yes, it is. That's a very good point. Normally we use the present
simple for permanent states, and the present continuous for
temporary states, but some verbs are thought of as State Verbs
and they are not usually used in the continuous form.
And the verb to be is one of those verbs?
Exactly! So even though staying in Thailand is temporary, we use the present
simple with the verb to be. Here's another example:
How's Daisy? Is she with you?
But that isn't the question form you just told me about! Where's the do?
Ah, no. I said 'for most verbs we use do in questions'. The verb to
be is different and so are modal verbs like can. We'll look at the
verb to be separately because it's different and very common.
What are the other state verbs?
We'll look at those when we look at the
Present Continuous. Any more questions?
Yes, what about: The train leaves at 5 in the morning?
Isn't that talking about an event in the future?
Yes, it is, but it's also a repeated event. This is
sometimes called the 'timetable future'.
OK, I have a maths class in a minute, so I have to go.
Good use of the 'timetable future'!
Bye!
Watch the video on our website!
Grammar videos: The present simple - exercises
Watch the video and read the conversation between
Sophie and Niwat. Then do these exercises to check
your understanding of the present simple.
1. Check your grammar: true or false – the present simple
Circle True or False for these sentences about the present simple.
1. We use it for talking about permanent states or situations. True False
2. We use it for things happening at the moment. True False
3. We use it for general facts (e.g. scientific facts). True False
4. We use it for talking about timetables (e.g. bus or lesson timetables). True False
5. We use it for future plans. True False
6. We use it for routines (e.g. things we do every day or week). True False
7. We use it for talking about likes and dislikes. True False
8. We use it for giving opinions (e.g. with the verbs think / believe). True False
2. Check your grammar: multiple choice – the present simple
Circle the best word to complete these sentences.
1. Jack go / goes to a film club on Wednesdays.
2. I love / loves reading in my free time.
3. They don’t / doesn’t usually see each other during the week.
4. The train leave / leaves at 6.30.
5. Do / Does Ollie play chess?
6. Daisy like / likes most sports.
7. We always get up / gets up at 7 o’clock.
8. What do / does you think of their new album?
3. Check your grammar: gap fill – the present simple
Write the word in the correct form to fill the gaps.
1. Alfie ________________ in London. (live)
2. ________________ you go swimming a lot? (Do)
3. Sophie ________________ in Thailand today. (be)
4. We ________________ go to the same school. (do not)
5. I ________________ old black and white films. (hate)
6. She ________________ as a travel writer. (work)
7. My dad ________________ breakfast before us. (have)
8. They ________________ taekwondo on Tuesdays. (do)
Reading skills practice: The school library – exercises
Look at the library notice and do the exercises to practise and improve your reading skills.
Preparation
Circle the best answer to these questions.
1. Where can you borrow books? a bookshop / a library
2. What do students do in a library? study / teach
1. Check your understanding: grouping
What can you do in the library? Write the phrases in the boxes.
use your talk loudly to borrow use the computer
eat. read.
phone. friends. books. for homework.
In the library you can … In the library you can’t …
borrow books
eat
use the computer for homework use your phone
read talk loudly to friends
2. Check your understanding: matching
Match the two parts of the sentence and write a–d next to the number 1–4.
1…….. The library is … a. … 3 books at one time.
2…….. Students can take away … b. … keep quiet.
3…….. Students must … c. … closed on Sundays.
4…….. Switch off your … d. … mobile phone.
3. Check your understanding: true or false
Circle True or False for these sentences.
1. You can use Facebook on the library computers. True False
2. You can eat lunch in the library. True False
3. You need a library card. True False
4. The library is open on Saturday afternoon. True False
5. You can use the library on Sunday. True False
6. You can't talk on the phone in the library. True False
Discussion
Does your school have a good library?
Writing skills practice: Applying for a job – exercises
Look at the job adverts and the email and do the exercises to improve your email writing skills.
Preparation
Complete the expressions with a verb from the box.
work use drive
cook teach speak
1. _______________
teach maths
2. _______________
drivea a car
3. _______________ a meal
4. _______________ with people
5. _______________ a computer
6. _______________ a language
1. Check your understanding: multiple choice
Circle the best job for these people.
1. Hiroshi, 22 I love all team sports, especially football. Football trainer Sports café staff
2. Tom, 18 I can drive and I have my own car. Football trainer Sports café staff
I have basic computer skills and I can
3. Hooi Yi, 18 use all MS software. Football trainer Sports café staff
4. Sophie, 19 I love to help other people learn how to play sports. Football trainer Sports café staff
I can speak English and French. I can also
5. Paolo, 17 speak a little Japanese and some Thai. Football trainer Sports café staff
6. Erik, 21 I love to be in the kitchen, and I can cook very well. Football trainer Sports café staff
2. Check your writing: ordering – email structure
Write a number (1-7) to put these parts of an email in order.
…………. Best regards
…………. Shannon McGinty
…………. Dear Hoburn University Sports Club
…………. Please send me information about the job of trainer for the UOH football team.
…………. Subject: Job
I love football and I play football every day. I teach football to children at a school too. I
…………. organise all the children’s football teams at the school. I can speak two languages: English
and Italian. I can drive a car and I have got my own car.
3. Check your writing: gap fill
Fill the gaps with a word or phrase from the box.
Please I can speak I love Dear Best
about I can Subject: To:
____________________ [email protected]
____________________ Job
____________________ Hoburn University Sports Club,
____________________ send me information ____________________ the
job of receptionist at the gym.
____________________ Japanese and Chinese. ____________________
sports and working with people, and ____________________ use a computer
very well.
____________________ regards,
Riku Kato
Discussion
Do you have a part-time job? What type of job would you like to do?
