Present simple

Basic

FormThere are specials verbs, like to be, there is/are and have got which do not auxiliaries

- She is blondAre you crazy?They are not our friends

- There are many people on the streetthere isn’t anyone at homeis there any food in the fridge?

- I have got a beautiful catHave you got my keys?she hasn’t got any money

Normal verbs need an auxiliar, which are do and does- I eat pasta once a month

Do you play tennis everyday?she doesn’t always go the gym

Uses-We use the Present simple to talk about routines and things we do regularly. That’s why we often use frequency adverbs such as once a wek, everyday, usually, on Mondays, …

I hardly ever play my guitar -We can talk also about things that are always true:

the sun rises every morning and sets in the evening

-There are some verbs, called non-action verbs, which can’t be used in the Presentcontinuous, such as be, have (when it means possession), like, hate, dislike, prefer, want, … So I say

I’m having a shower but I have a car/ I have got a carI don’t like MondaysI want my salad now

Expressing frequency

We use frequency adverbs both to express frequency with the Present simple and Past simple.Most common adverbs and expressions are:

Everyday, normally, usually, sometimes, never, seldom, hardly ever, often, always, everyday, on Mondays, on weekdays, at the weekend, once a month, twice a year, three times a week.See if you can get them in order:

Adverbs of frequency go between the subject and the verb and behind the auxiliar.She is always lateShe never arrives on time

Expressions of time go at the end of the senteceI’d like to go to the cinema once a week

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Question words

We always place the question word before the auxiliary in questions

How far is the station?How long have you lived here?What time do you go to work?

How many Where Who what What for

How How often When Why How much