This document discusses the simple present tense in English. It is used to talk about habitual or repeated actions, things that are always true, and routines. The verb form depends on the subject - third person singular takes an -s ending. The simple present expresses habits through examples like "I eat breakfast every morning." Negatives are formed with do/does and contractions like "don't." Questions follow do/does and the base verb form. Common question words are also defined.

2. We use the Simple Present to:
• Talk about things that are always true
• Talk abaout repaeated and usual actions
• Talk about habits and routines

3. Form and Basic Meaning of the Simple Present Tense
SINGULAR PLURAL
1st person I talk we talk
2nd person you talk you talk
3rd person he talks they talk
she talks
it talks
Notice:
The verb after she, he, it
(3rd person singular) has a
final s: talks.
Examples:
(a) I eat breakfast every morning.
(b) Ann speaks English every day.
(c) We sleep every night.
(d) They go to the beach every weekend.
The simple present tense
expresses habits.
In (a): eating breakfast
is a habit, a usual
activity.

5. For negatives and questions in the
simple present tense I always need an
auxiliary (or helping verb).
The auxiliaries for the Simple Present
Tense are:
DO
DOES

6. THE SIMPLE PRESENT: NEGATIVE
Examples:
(a) I do not drink coffee.
We do not drink coffee.
You do not drink coffee.
They do not drink coffee.
(b) She does not drink coffee.
He does not drink coffee.
It does not drink coffee.
I
we + do not + main verb
you
they
she
he + does not + main verb
it
Notice in (b):
In 3rd person singular, there is no –s on the main verb; the final –s is part of does.
CORRECT: She does not drink coffee. INCORRECT: She does not drinks coffee.
(c) I don´t drink tea.
They don´t have a car.
(d) He doesn´t drink tea.
Mary doesn´t have a car.
CONTRACTIONS:
Do not = don´t
Does not = doesn´t
People usually use contractions when they speak.
People often use contractions when they write.

8. For negatives and questions in the simple present tense
I always need an auxiliary (or helping verb).
The auxiliaries for the Simple Present Tense are:
DO
DOES
Remember

9. YES/NO QUESTIONS
DO/ DOES +SUBJECT + MAIN VERB + question mark
(in the simple form) ( ? )
Do I
Do you
Does she
Does he
Does it live in Aguascalientes ?
Do we
Do you
Do they
(a) Do you like coffee?
(b) Does Bob like coffee?
Notice in (b).
The main verb in the question does not have a final –s. The final –s is
part of does.
INCORRECT CORRECT
Does Bob likes coffee? Does Bob like coffee?

10. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Do, don´t, does, and doesn´t are used in short answers to
yes / no questions in the simple present
QUESTION SHORT ANSWER LONG ANSWER
(e) Do you like tea? Yes, I do. Yes, I like tea.
No, I don´t . No, I don´t like tea.
(f) Does Bob like tea? Yes, he does . Yes, he likes tea.
No, he doesn´t . No, He doesn´t like tea.

12. INFORMATION QUESTIONS WITH “BE” AND “DO”
Q-WORD + BE + SUBJECT COMPLETE ANSWER
(a) Where
(b) Where
(c) When
(d) What
(e)What time
Is
are
Is
Is
Is
Thailand?
your books?
the concert?
your name?
it?
 Thailand is in Southeast Asia.
 My books are on my desk.
 The concert is on April 3rd.
 My name is Yoko.
 It is ten-thirty.
Q-WORD + DO/DOES + SUBJECT + MAIN VERB COMPLETE ANSWER
(f) Where do you live?
(g) What time does the plane arrive?
(h) What do monkeys eat?
(k) When does Bob study?
 I live in Los Angeles.
 The plane arrives at six-twelve
 Monkeys eat fruit, and insects.
 Bob studies in the evenings.
NOTICE:
In questions with be as the main and only verb, the subject follows be.
In simple present questions with verbs other than be, the subject comes
between do/does and the main verb

13. Here you have a list of the
most common question
words:

14. QUESTION WORD FUNCTION EXAMPLE
what
asking for information
about something
What is your name?
asking for repetition or
confirmation
What? I can't hear
you.
You did what?
what...for
asking for a reason, asking
why
What did you do that
for?
when asking about time When did he leave?
where
asking in or at what place
or position
Where do they live?
which asking about choice
Which colour do you
want?

15. QUESTION
WORD
FUNCTION EXAMPLE
who
asking what or which
person or people (object)
Whom did you see?
whose asking about ownership
Whose are these keys?
Whose turn is it?
why
asking for reason, asking
what...for
Why do you say that?
why don't making a suggestion Why don't I help you?
how asking about manner How does this work?
asking about condition or
quality
How was your exam?
how +
adj/adv
asking about extent or
degree
see examples below

16. QUESTION
WORD
FUNCTION EXAMPLE
how far distance
How far is Pattaya from
Bangkok?
how long length (time or space) How long will it take?
how many quantity (countable) How many cars are there?
how much quantity (uncountable)
How much money do you
have?
how old age How old are you?
how come
(informal)
asking for reason, asking
why
How come I can't see her?

17. Now you are ready to
use the Simple Present
Tense!!!

18. Ing. Isabel Fernández Beltrán
Centro de Educación Media de la
Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes