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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #38625: Simple Present
    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Present [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Placement test : grammar for beginners - Two presents: present continuous, present simple - Present simple - Present simple or continuous - Modal: may/might - Present simple - Present simple or continuous - Present simple
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Simple Present


    Uses


     

    We generally use the Simple Present to talk about:

    • Habits and repeated actions

    This includes daily events, hobbies, habits and things that often happen. Examples: She plays tennis every saturday. We always forget to lock the back door.

    • Facts

    It does not matter whether the statement is true as long as the speaker believes it is, or at least says so. We also use simple present to make generalizations. Examples: Snakes change their skins regularly (true statement). Women are complicated (generalization).

    • Events in the near future

    The Simple Present is occasionally used to talk about something that will happen in the future, and is mostly used when talking about transportation or scheduled eventsl. Examples: The plain arrives tomorrow at 10 a.m. The weekly meeting starts in a few hours. Tutoring sessions start next wednesday. 

    • Actions taking place now

    For speaking about something that takes place at the moment, Present Continuous is used, except when the action concerns a non-continuous verb. These verbs are usually things that can't be seen. Some of them are: to be, to want, to like, to love, to hate, to fear, to envy, to cost, to contain, to seem, to need, to care, to exist, to owe, to belong, to own, etc. They often express emotions or states of mind, and others are related to possesion. Examples: Marie is crying, I think she needs help (she is crying at the moment, so she needs help now). Where is my copy of the textbook? David has it right now, he's over there.

     

    Form

     

    This is how it is generally formed: INFINITIVE (+ s/es with he, she or it)

    For example: 

    I play - You play - He/She/It plays - We play - You play - They play

    I study - You study - He/She/It studies - We study - You study - They study

     

    The verb to be is different, as it also changes with I:

    I am - You are - He/She/It is - We are - You are - They are

     

    Negative and interrogative sentences make use of the auxiliary verb do

    I do - You do - He/She/It does - We do - You do - They do

    • She doesn't/does not like pop music.
    • Do they call their mother every day?
    • I don't/do not like being told what to do.






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    English exercise "Simple Present" created by anonyme with The test builder.
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    1. My best friend (love) reading novels.

    2. Unfortunately, I (wake up) every day in a terrible mood.

    3. He always (forget) to wash the dishes.

    4. We have to get there as fast as we can, they (arrive) in the next train.

    5. She (not enjoy) going to the cinema.

    6. No matter what he says, I (think) it would be better to talk to her.

    7. (have, you) an older brother?

    8. Spain (be) a small country.

    9. John (play) chess every Friday afternoon.

    10. Cats (not like) swimming, or getting wet at all.










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