The Present Simple tense describes things that are true, actions that happen many times, and simple statements of fact.
![Present Simple](http://eng911.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Primer-nauchnih-faktov-v-Present-Simple.png)
![Present Simple](http://eng911.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Primer-nauchnih-faktov-v-Present-Simple.png)
![Present Simple](http://eng911.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Primer-nauchnih-faktov-v-Present-Simple.png)
Negative sentences in Present Simple
To make negative statements in Present Simple, we use:
do not (don’t) / does not (doesn’t) + the base form of the verb (infinitive without ‘to’)
Compare:
![Present Simple negative](https://lingup.pro/static/uploads/scheme/playlist/02.2014/6g.png)
![Present Simple negative](https://lingup.pro/static/uploads/scheme/playlist/02.2014/6g.png)
![Present Simple negative](https://lingup.pro/static/uploads/scheme/playlist/02.2014/6g.png)
Note: If you use ‘doesn’t’, don’t add ‘-s’ to the main verb. – She doesn’t think. NOT: |
The verb ‘be’
When we use the verb ‘to be’ we don’t use ‘do’ or ‘does’. We say ‘am/is/are + not’.
- I am from France. – I’m not (am not) from France.
- You are late. – You aren’t (are not) late.
- He is allergic. – He isn’t (is not) allergic.
Questions in Present Simple
To make questions in the Present Simple, we use ‘Do’ or ‘Does’. When we ask questions in English, the word order is different:
Do/Does + subject + verb
- Do you like oranges?
- Does he work here?
- Where does this train stop?
When do we use do or does?
Subject | Do/Does | Example |
I | do | Do I have a coat? |
You | do | Do you have a coat? |
He/she/it | does | Does she have a coat? |
We | do | Do we have a coat? |
They | do | Do they have a coat? |
Yes/No questions
To create a question that will be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, use ‘Do‘/’Does‘ (or ‘Don’t‘/’Doesn’t‘ for a negative question) + the base form of the main verb.
![Present Simple questions](https://slideplayer.com/slide/7279748/24/images/49/%28i%29+Do+you+like+ice+cream+Yes%2C+I+do.+No%2C+I+don%E2%80%99t..jpg)
![Present Simple questions](https://slideplayer.com/slide/7279748/24/images/49/%28i%29+Do+you+like+ice+cream+Yes%2C+I+do.+No%2C+I+don%E2%80%99t..jpg)
![Present Simple questions](https://slideplayer.com/slide/7279748/24/images/49/%28i%29+Do+you+like+ice+cream+Yes%2C+I+do.+No%2C+I+don%E2%80%99t..jpg)
- Do you like cake?
- Does John walk to school?
- Do Lauren and Sarah have bicycles?
- Do we need more milk?
Note: If you use ‘Does’, don’t add ‘-s’ to the main verb. – Does he write books? NOT: |
Special questions
Special questions (also known as wh-questions) are questions that require more information in their answers. They are made using wh- words such as what, where, when, why, which, who, how, how many, how much.
To make a special question, use the same word order as with yes-no questions but put a wh-word before the verb ‘do’ or ‘does’. The structure is:
wh- word | do or does | subject | main verb | |
Where | does | Libby | go | to school? |
Why | do | I | hate | him? |
How | do | you | like | your haircut? |
When | does | the train | arrive? |
The verb ‘be’
With the verb ‘to be’, we do not use ‘do’ or ‘does’. We use ‘am’, ‘is’, or ‘are’. The word order is the same.
- Are you at home right now?
- Is he angry at me?
- Why are you here?
- What is the answer?
- Where are they?
Watch this video from GoEnglish and revise how to form positive, negative and interrogative forms of Present Simple:
See also: