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 (45 votes)
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.

Comments

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

Submitted by panda1a on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:09

hi i'm karem. my daily routine is to get up at 6 in the morning to have breakfast, do my activities and then go to work at the funeral home.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 09:12

Hi panda1a,

 

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 panda1a

Submitted by CameriUAE on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:09

I get up at 7 am to fed my cats cause they are so noisy when they're hungry and then I take a shower and prepared all to received my classes .At the afternoon when my classes end I have a lunch and star to do my homework . At the night I go to the gym to the 9pm , when I return I take a shower , eat a lot of fuit then fed my cats and brush my teeth to go to sleep

Submitted by SameJF on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:08

I usually wake up at 7:00 am, but not on the weekends. Then I go to university classes, I have virtual classes, after finishing classes, lunch and from there I start to do my homework. In the afternoon I am entertaining in some activity but what I do most is read, or I am on the cell phone. Night is coming, having lunch, I brush my teeth and go to sleep.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 08:47

Hi SameJF,

 

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 SameJF

Submitted by emii on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:04

I get up at 7:50 am, then have breakfast and then listen to the classes until 2:00 pm.

Submitted by kaers on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 18:56

i get up at 6:50 am and eat my breackfast. then I connect to classes

Submitted by Lis on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 18:56

I liked this way of teaching easy exercises to be able to lower them more!

Submitted by Yadiruae on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 14:18

A typical day for me would be my college classes and then I have to do homework

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 08:45

Hi Yadiruae,

 

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 Yadiruae

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

This exercise is very complete and I have no difficulty in doing it

Submitted by MoronyUAB1b on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 13:57

this exercise helps me better understand

Submitted by KathUAE on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 13:57

I always sleep after school

Submitted by SiumaUAE on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 13:54

This exercise is very complete!

Submitted by MonUAE1B on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 13:52

good exercises

Submitted by Arivelde on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 15:59

I usualy wake up at 8:00am, but not in the weekends. Then I normaly go to school, but we are in a pandemy so I stay at home and go take a walk. After that I have my online classes for more than 2 hours. When it's over I eat something, relax and use my cell phone, for sometimes 1 hour. Some days I have the afternoon free and sometimes I have classes. After 4:30pm I play fotball, then, when it's over I take a shower and do something else, watch a film, study, stay on my phone... Then I brush my teeth and go to bed.

Submitted by Didi on Wed, 03/10/2021 - 19:08

Durring this year of pandemy,i usually wake up at 8:30 am, then I walk with my brothers, after that I do my homework, then I lunch. In the afternoon. I sometimes have remote classes and sometimes play football or do some homework I still nead to finish. After dinner I play some mobile games then I go to sleep.
Profile picture for user Kostantinus

Submitted by Kostantinus on Sat, 01/23/2021 - 11:30

Everyday I wake up at 7 o'clock, tide my bed, do morning gymnastic, wash my face, brush my teeth, drink a glass of warm water, take a shower, put on my school uniform, have my breakfast and go to school. After the classes I come back home, do my homework, walk my puppy, have dinner with my family, learn LearnEnglish Teens, watch anime, talk to my mates online, have a shower, brush my teeth and wash my face again, talk to my girlfriend and go to bed. You know! It's just like that! :)

Submitted by joso on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 22:02

Every day I wake up at 7am to listen to my online classes and I like the English class

In reply to by Kostantinus

Submitted by hermione123 on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 23:04

i usually wake up at 5.30 am and have a breakfast at 8.00

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 06/04/2021 - 08:46

Hi lanitaUAE,

 

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 lanitaUAE

Submitted by SARAHATHOME on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 07:14

I usually get up at 6:30 am, Then I have breakfast, then I go to the school.

Submitted by AS_31 on Sun, 12/13/2020 - 09:07

I usually wake up at 6:30 a.m drink chocolate milk and get ready for school. Then I go to the bus station and take the bus to school. At 8:00 a.m I start to learn at school. `

Submitted by Zizo_hinata on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 02:53

I usually wake up at 2 o'clock. I wash my face. Sometimes I eat eggs and cheese for breakfast. I go to the gym once a day. after that, I have lunch. I always meet my friends at 7pm. I go to sleep at 2am.

Submitted by derechouni on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 04:44

He woke me up at 7 in the morning, I took a bath, I put on my makeup, I comb, then I make my bed, I sweep the patio, I take out garbage, I start cooking at 10:00 for breakfast and lunch to sit with my family and thus begin with my work and school activities.

Submitted by TR790 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 14:10

During this Corona virus period, I get up at 10 a.m. and do some exercise. Then I attend online classes with our teachers and chat online with my friends. After that I watch some TV and have iftar with my family as we all know that it is the month of Ramadan. After iftar, I study and complete my homework. At 9 p.m. we have dinner and go to bed.

Submitted by BttChiara on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 17:07

On Sunday I get up at 8 o'clock and I have breakfast at half past eight. I do all my homework from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock. At half past one I have lunch with my family. In the afternoon I usually read a book or watch a film. At 8 o'clock p.m. I have dinner with my family and I, finally, go to the bed at half past nine.

Submitted by jeanpierre on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 13:16

I wake up at 8:00am and start working at 9:00am. I have a break at 10:00 to 10:30am then I continue until it's 12:00am. Than I eat and I have to stay outside for the rest of the day. I eat, than I have my phone to play 7:00pm to 8:00pm and I can watch a movie until 9:00pm, than I shower and I go to bed

Submitted by igadepasou on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 07:18

my dialogue : Busy Arthur Arthur is chatting to his cousin Sacha and his best mate, Rubens about his new girlfriend. Rubens : So, how's it going with Julia ? Arthur : Not great, I like her a lot, but she's impossible ! During the week I have rugby practice on Mondays and Thursdays, and drum lessons on Wednesdays. I usually have a rugby match on Saturdays. Sacha: Do you see her on Sundays then ? Arthur : No, she goes to make-up lessons on Sundays. Sacha : When do you go out together? Arthur : that's just it, It's tricky. Rubens : Does she like sports ? Arthur : Not really, she thinks shopping is a sport ! Well, she watches cricket on the telly sometimes, but she doesn't play any sports. Sacha : I think you're right. She's impossible ! Arthur : Right, I'l m late for rugby practice. See you later ! Sacha and Rubens : See you, Arthur

Submitted by japa on Wed, 04/22/2020 - 15:27

During the quarantine. my typical day is this: I don't have time to wake up. I don't have breakfast. But in 12 o'clock i eat lunch. I spend the afternoon playing in my mobile and in the laptop. In the night, I do my themes, I have dinner at 10,00 p.m I go sleep at 2a.m.

Submitted by hermione123 on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 22:53

wow! you can sleep at 2 o'clock in the morning. i usually sleep at least 11.00 pm, and have dinner at 7.00 pm :)

In reply to by japa

Submitted by Bri on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 15:09

Good job!

Submitted by Founnerzin on Sat, 04/18/2020 - 03:50

During this period of the pandemic, my typical day is: I wake up at 7:30 am, have breakfast, brush my teeth, take video lessons, then I train, shower, lunch, brush my teeth, take video lessons, play video games, have dinner , study, brush your teeth and then sleep

Submitted by sofka on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 20:27

my usual day is not remarkable when I wake up, I sit down at the computer and spend most of the time for us, then I eat and again sit down at the computer and so my days go by and sometimes I watch anime

Submitted by MatildePace on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 15:10

I get up at 8, I have breakfast and then I have a video lesson with the professor and my classmates. After I have lunch, I do my homework and later I call my friends. Around 8 I have dinners, I watch TV and Ffnally I go to sleep.

Submitted by Desy on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 13:33

On my typical day in this period I get up at about 8.30 am, I have breakfast with my brother, wash my face and brush my teeth, then I do my homework or lessons online. At about 1:00 pm I have lunch and after I continue to do my homework or play with my brother. Finally at 8 I have dinner with my family and about 23 I go to sleep.

Submitted by gattifederica on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 11:08

During the Corona virus period, my typical day is this: I get up 7 o’clock. I get dressed and I have breakfast. Then I participate to video calls with my teachers and my classmates. I have lunch, after I go online and I chat with my friends. I do my homework, I listen to music and I have dinner with my parents. Then I watch TV series and finally I go to bed at midnight.

Submitted by Ely on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 10:06

my tipical day i get up at 9 o' clock,i have breakfast and i do my homework. at 12:30 i have lunch with my family. in the afternoon i go to the park with my friends at8o'clock i have dinner , i watch TV and at 10:30 i go to the bed

Submitted by giorgia_marchetti on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 14:23

I get up at 10.00 o'clock and i have breakfast whit my family,after i wash my face ,i brush my theeth and my hair and i wear clen clothes. I do my homework and at 14.00 i have lunch with my family. In the afternoon i do some sport, when i finish it I have a shower and in the evening after dinner i meet my friends. At 00.00 i come back at home, I wash my face and my theeth and i go to bed

In reply to by Ely

Profile picture for user KemoF

Submitted by KemoF on Sat, 03/16/2019 - 02:35

I sometimes confuse with present simple and continuing aspect. For example, I'm not sure if this sentence is right. "My friedns often gently blame me for my oblivescence since back in the day". Can anyone help me?

Submitted by editor_rachael on Sat, 03/16/2019 - 14:56

Hi KemoF,

 

I think the verb form is correct there - blame is in present simple because it's often, i.e. a repeated action. 

 

Well done!

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

In reply to by KemoF

Profile picture for user KemoF

Submitted by KemoF on Mon, 03/18/2019 - 06:47

Thank you for your reply as clear as crystal!

In reply to by editor_rachael

Profile picture for user Youjiro

Submitted by Youjiro on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 14:04

I get up early morning to preparing to class.I cook hotcake by myself in the kitchen .I stir egg and powder in a bowl ,after that I pour it on the flying pan.I bake it 3 minute on the pan .I eat it with honey and one cup of coffee.After I wear clothes in my room.I go to bus stop at 7 am.I read a book on the public bus.I study lot of things in a class.After school I come back home as soon as possible to do homework.At 6 pm I take a bath and take a shower. I eat dinner alone at 7 pm .I watch a TV or listing a podcast.I go to bed at 10 pm. I sleep on a bed 10:30 pm.I enjoy a dream alone.

Submitted by Joa on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 19:17

I usually get up at 7 in the morning to receive virtual classes. Then I exercise in the afternoon and do my homework. I usually sleep later.

In reply to by Youjiro

Submitted by thanhlong on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 14:01

i will learn English every weeks on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

Submitted by Raissa on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 16:39

I always watch TV after school.

Submitted by sohaislam on Sat, 02/24/2018 - 13:54

and I was a new user how can i talk to u all
English courses near you