Present simple

Daisy is chatting to her brother Oliver, and his best mate Alfie, about her new boyfriend. Daisy and Oliver’s mum is working in Thailand this week.

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of the present simple. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, the present simple tense.

Transcript

Alfie: So, how’s it going with Jack?
Daisy: Not great. I mean, I like him a lot, but it’s impossible! During the week I have swimming practice on Mondays, I do taekwondo on Tuesdays and tennis on Thursdays.
Alfie: Do you see him on Wednesdays, then?
Daisy: No, he watches black and white films at his cinema club on Wednesdays.
Oliver: Yeah, and they’re not just really old films, Alfie, they watch foreign ones with subtitles too!
Alfie: Well, there’s always the weekend. Do you go out together at the weekends?
Daisy: That’s just it, it’s tricky. He works in the bookshop all day Saturday and he goes out with his mates from the book club on Saturday evenings.
Alfie: Whoa! Book club? So, he loves old films and books!? Mmm ... Does he like sports?
Daisy: Not really. He thinks chess is a sport! Well, he watches football on the telly sometimes, but he doesn’t play any sports.
Alfie: Mmm ... I think you’re right. It’s impossible!
Daisy: Right, I’m late. See you later.
Alfie and Oliver: See you, Daisy.

Sophie: Hi, love.
Oliver: All right, Mum?
Sophie: Yeah, I’m fine.
Oliver: Good trip?
Sophie: Not bad, but Thailand’s really hot at this time of year. I’m off to Chiang Mai tomorrow to do a three-day trek. The train leaves at 5 in the morning. How’s Daisy? Is she with you?
Oliver: No, she has tennis on Thursdays.
Sophie: Ah, of course. No problem. Listen, ask Daisy to phone me later, OK? The number of the hotel is on the fridge and I’m in room 37.
Oliver: All right, Mum. Speak later. Watch out for the snakes!
Sophie: Thanks, Ollie! Bye, love. See you Sunday.
Alfie: Is your mum in Thailand this week?
Oliver: Yeah. Trekking in Chiang Mai for three days.
Alfie: Wow – that beats going to college. Imagine, three days in the jungle! I can’t imagine my mum doing that. Cool. Does she like walking?
Oliver: No, not really. Only if it’s to go shopping on the high street!
Alfie: See you tomorrow.
Oliver: Yeah, see you tomorrow. 

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 and listen to the conversation below.

Can you give me some examples?

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.

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!

 

Discussion

Tell us about your typical day. Remember to use the present simple!

Grammar
Average: 3.4 (20 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by Kamilla on Wed, 12/27/2023 - 07:00

I usually wake up between 6:00 and 10:00. I go to bed at about 8 o'clock. After that, I wash my face and go to eat. I usually have breakfast with something light, like cottage cheese. Sometimes I sit in my room and write programs, watch TV series and movies, or play a video game.

Submitted by hottoite on Thu, 06/08/2023 - 23:38

Usually i wake up betwen 2 pm and 5 pm. I have a lie-in about hour or two and check my emails. After this I getting up early and: clean my room a little bit, drink water and go to shower. After go to kitchen: wash the dish and take anything for my breakfast, usually this something like icecream or sandwich. Throug I sit down in the my room and start draw something, watch cartoons or play in videogames.

Submitted by SmilingAlice@3608 on Fri, 06/02/2023 - 10:43

On weekdays, I get up at quarter past 8. Then I brush my teeth, have breakfast and I go to school at 8:40. At school, my friends and I have recess at
11:55. We have lunch at 1:30. We go home at 3:30pm.
On weekends, I get up at half past 7. I brush my teeth, have breakfast, then I play with my little sister. I learn to play tennis
on Sundays.

Submitted by oreoko on Tue, 12/06/2022 - 17:48

I usually wake up at 6:40 am. Then I go to the bathroom: clean my teeth, wash the face and brush the hair. After I cook the breakfast and watch movie or serial. In the afternoon i do homework and write abstracts. When night is coming, I do yoga and go to sleep.

Submitted by ecpgazi26 on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 20:31

I wake up at 6 am on weekdays.I have my breakfast and go to school by school bus.School starts at 8 am.I have my lunch there.I come back home about half past three.I do my homework and have some rest.I usually go to bed at 10.30 pm. On weekends it's all different.I wake up at 10 am.I go to volleyball course or go out with my friends.Also I study for my lessons (especially maths). I watch things or read books.I go to bed around 12 pm.
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Submitted by goldenhour on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 19:24

I get up at 6:00 first. I brush my teeth and have breakfast after that. I'm going to school and I have classes. I finish classes at 15.10 and go home. I usually do my homework at 16:00. I have dinner at 18.00. I usually go to bed at 23:30.

Submitted by omeraltug on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 16:08

İ get up at 6.20 am.Then i brush my teeth and get dressed. Then i go to school by school bus and first class start at 8.00 am.After that i have lunch in dinning hall. Our classes finish at 3.10 pm. Then i have a rest and have dinner. After that i study at 7-7.30 pm. İ finish mu studies usually 9-9.30 pm. Finally i brush my teeth and sleep.

Submitted by Levitating on Thu, 09/22/2022 - 19:17

I wake up at 7 a.m. after wash my face and I have breakfast after that go to the school and listen lesson. Finish my school I'll take the bus and go home. 1 hour rest after start my homework and ı study english then ı have dinner and study lesson finally ı go to the bed at 12 p.m.

Submitted by lehaibinh1903 on Fri, 08/05/2022 - 09:15

I wake up at 6 a.m. and brush my teeth. Then i have pasta or cereal for my breakfast. At 7 a.m., I read a comic book. At 8 a.m., I practice English by doing quizlet. Next, I go to my cousin’s to play video game. I come home for lunch at 10:30 a.m. I take a nap and then I have a piano class from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. I watch tv for thirty minutes. Sometimes I read some comic bocks I have. I have dinner from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. i watch tv then go to bed :)

Submitted by cherry00 on Sat, 07/23/2022 - 17:31

I get up at 6.45 a.m, I have breakfast, I wear clothes and I go to school. It starts at 7.50 a.m. I go home at 2.00 p.m. and I have lunch. Then I watch TV and I do my homework from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. I have a shower and at 8 p.m. I have dinner. I watch TV or I read a book and at 22.30 I go to bed.
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Submitted by Capixt on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 16:28

I wake up at 7 a.m. and I exercise then, I take a shower and eat my breackfast. Then I study from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afternoon I practice the piano and make my homework then I have english clase to 4 from 7. And that's it :)

Submitted by Curry30 on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 10:02

I get up at 6.20 in the morning, have breakfast, get ready, brush my teeth and leave the house. I take the bike and go to the station to take the train, I take the train and arrive at the other station. I am with my friends and I walk to school, I arrive at school I do my lessons usually are 6 hours. I take the train and arrive at the station, take the bike and go home. When I get home I eat and go out with friends until 7. I come home I eat and around 10.30 / 11.00 pm I brush my teeth and go to bed.

Submitted by Brunito1445 on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 21:30

Usually the days of school I wake up at 7am and I get ready to go to school, at noon When I arrive at my house lunch and then I lay down for a bit. I get up from a nap and I'm going to play sports, then I do my homework, I take a shower I have dinner and at 12 am I lay down

Submitted by NoSeJuju on Tue, 03/15/2022 - 19:15

This is my routine. First, I get up at 7.00 o'clock. I brush my teeth and after that i have breakfast. I go to the school and have classes. I finish classes at 12.50 hours and go back home. I usually go to the gym at 16.00 o'clock and often finish at 17.00 o'clock. I have dinner at 21.00 o'clock. I usually go to bed at 23.30 hours.

Submitted by Celest3 on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 18:24

On school days I get up at 6.50 am, I get ready (brush my teeth, get dressed, and have breakfast) and I go to school. When I arriva home, I have lunch, I do some homework, exercise and read for then have a shower, dinner, brush my teeth and go to bed.

Submitted by Maygab on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 02:47

I usually get up at 6.00 a.m o´clock, I take a shower, I have breakfast, start my lessons at 2.00 p.m., I have lunch, I finish my classes 7:00 pm I have dinner with my family, I watches tv series, I sleeps at eleven or twelve o´clock.

Submitted by blackCat7 on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 01:52

My day stars at 6 o'clock, i get up, was, have breakfast and go to school. After finishing my classes, i get home and to do my home work. I have dinner at 6:30 pm and go to bed at 10:00 pm.

Submitted by Bergerpast on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 01:41

I wake up at 8:00 am. I have breakfast and take a shower after study english. I have lunch at 2:00 pm. I watch movies at night.

Submitted by Aleb on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 01:21

Usually on Mondays I get up at 6:30 am, brush my teeth, get dressed, and take my first virtual class at 7 am. Ay 9 am I make muy breakfast, make muy bed am continue with muy classes at 10 pm, do homework and go to bed ay 1 am. Tuesday at Friday I get up at 8 am, make my breakfast, get dressed and make my bed. Do my homework and start my classes at 10 am, go to school if necessary, come home at 2:30 pm, do homework, make my lunch, do more homework and go to bed ay 12 am.

Submitted by Shelmy on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 00:52

Hi. I usually get up at 5:00. After I take a shower and I have a breakfast. And then I leave my house and take the bus to the school. The school start 7:00. After school I go to the library and I study english. After I go back home and eat dinner. I have a free time then I watch movie and relax with my family. I go to bed at 11:40.

Submitted by Addi on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 00:46

My day starts at 11:30 am I have coffee I go to the gym I return home I take a shower how do I start my classes finishing my classes I have dinner and then I go to work to leave at 5:30 am and sleep

Submitted by v01shebnik on Sat, 01/22/2022 - 16:41

My day starts at 6:30 o'clock. I have breakfast and go to school. After finishing my classes, I run to the gym or quantorium and return home. I have dinner, do my homework, read books or watch videos and go to bed.

Submitted by student53 on Sat, 12/18/2021 - 19:21

My usual day starts at 8 am, I get up, wash, have breakfast, then go to school, then study until 2 pm, go home, rest for 1 hour and sit down to do my homework. I have dinner at 7:30 pm and go to bed at 11:00 pm.

Submitted by Sol04 on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:18

I usually get up at 6.00 a.m and I prepare myself, I take the bus for school and start my lessons at 8.00 a.m. When I finish my classes, I go home and have lunch, then I do housework and I relax or go out. In the evening I Cook and have dinner with my mum, I do the washing-up and I watch Tv series, then I go to bed

Submitted by ilrxia on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:15

I usually wake up between 6/6.30 in the morning, then I drink a cappuccino and after that I brush my teeth. I go to school and in the afternoon I listen to music or I watch movies/tv series, I don’t play any sports but I like watching basketball, I like reading books and painting. In the evening I have dinner with my family and I watch videos on youtube with my sibilings. I always go to sleep late, that’s the reason why I always need coffee in the morning.

Submitted by Shark32_ on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:13

On school days, I usually wake up at 6,30 when my alarm rings on my phone. Then I have breakfast, I clean my bedroom and I brush my teeth. The school lessons always start at 8 o' clock and finish at 2.00 pm. I go home and have lunch then I do my homework and study until dinner time at 8.00 pm. Then I have a relaxing shower and I watch some movies or TV series and then I go to bed at Midnight because I'm very tired.

Submitted by Yuko on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:13

My typical day begins, at 7 am I get up, wash myself, have breakfast, then I go to school. When the school finishes, I go back home.

Submitted by bosskilla on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:12

in the afternoon I always go to the gym at 5:00pm and I spend 2 hours at the gym and after that I go to the driving school at 7:00pm. to learn more things about the law of the road.
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Submitted by M4r1nell4 on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:10

Every day, I wake up at 6:30 a.m., I have a breakfast with my boyfriend, I do my skincare and I get dressed. I go to school. Lessons finish at 2.00 p.m. I go home and have lunch. I do my homework and i go out with my friends. I go back home and i have dinner . I have a shower, watch Tv and I go to bed.

Submitted by Gianfrancioschio on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:04

Every day I get up at 7:30 a.m., I have breakfast with a cup of milk and two or three biscuits, I go to school at 8:30 a.m., I follow every lesson, I go home where there is a big big lunch waiting for me. I sleep for two hours, at 6:30 p.m. I go to play football in a little city close to mine, I return home and I have dinner. At 11:00 p.m. I brush my teeth and I go to bed.
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Submitted by Diva69 on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 08:01

I usually wake up at 6:30 am and I get up at 6:55 am, i take the bus to school at 7:20 am, then i go to school. I usually get out of school at 2:00 pm and I take the bus to go home at 2:35 pm. I have lunch as soon as I get home and i start doing my homework, after that I look through my instagram waiting for dinner. I have dinner at 7:30 pm and then I go to bed at 11:00 pm.

Submitted by Ema_tavo on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 12:46

I get up in the morning, I have breakfast. I make a plan for the day, that means that I choose how much homework I'm going to do and how much I'm going to play. I usually finish my homework in the afternoon.

Submitted by Jourdan on Thu, 06/24/2021 - 08:00

wow nice

Submitted by SbSteph on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 22:30

the exercise, is very good, compliment for study for english class.

Submitted by Ronaldc84 on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 21:20

My typical day begins, at 7 am I get up, wash up, have breakfast, then I connect to classes, then lunch, rest 1 hour and go to work. I return at dawn to rest in the company of my family. Ronald

Submitted by MoliUAE on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 20:55

Since classes started I have woken up at 6:15 am to be able to have breakfast and do everything before going to class. After they finish I can do my other activities.

Submitted by Chinita on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 20:37

I play Soccer

Submitted by arialmora19 on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 20:32

First, I get up of my bed at 7:00 am, Then I take a shower, brush my teeths, and breakfast. Ussually I connect to my classes of University and Finally I help to my sister with her homeworks.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 09:08

Hi arialmora19,

 

Thanks for your comments on LearnEnglish Teens. This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but it sounds like you are older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but if you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other. 

 

Best wishes,

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

In reply to by arialmora19

Submitted by Puchi on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 20:30

Every day I wake up at 7:30 a.m. I feed my cat and my dog. I meditate for 10 minutes. my mom makes me breakfast. I usually eat cereal with milk. Then I take a bath. Next, I prepare for my classes. etc.

Submitted by yuca on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 20:08

I always watch movies after school

Submitted by Flaca on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:43

I usually get up at 6:00 am, then I start cooking breakfast and lunch, then I get ready to take my classes online.

Submitted by Fioritablabla on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:41

I always get up at 6 am

Submitted by Pablito on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:39

the exercise is very good

Submitted by Winky1A on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:37

I eat my breaskfast at the 6:00
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Submitted by teenwolf on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:36

I usually get up from Monday to Friday at 7:00 am and on weekends at 8:00 am. Normally on weekdays I have my virtual class schedule that begins at 8:00 am and ends at 14:00 pm. After that at 14:30 pm I leave my house to work, finishing my day around 23:00 pm, just at that time I arrive at my house and the first thing I do is take a bath and after that do the duties as far as possible, ending the day exhausted and tired until the next day the same routine returns. And the weekends are quieter days.

Submitted by HelencitaUAE1A on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:33

I usually get up at 6:20 for online classes.

Submitted by PameB on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:27

I get up early in the morning for pray after go to my class of university. for the nigth go to mass every day.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 09:11

Hi PameB,

 

Thanks for your comments on LearnEnglish Teens. This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but it sounds like you are older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but if you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other. 

 

Best wishes,

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

In reply to by PameB

Submitted by Chinaa on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:14

I wake up on weekdays at 7o'clock, go to the bathroom, then I have breakfast, go to brush NY teeths, then I have my online classes from 8 o'clock to 2pm, after my classes I have Lunch with my family, then wash the distes, do my homework and finally go to take a shower, put my pajama and watch Netflix until I fall asleep
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