The present simple

The present simple

by Alessandro Ursic, PC MUIC

​Look at the verb in the following sentences:

1. ​I think that Bangkok is an interesting city.

2. That dish looks very tasty.

3. ​​On Thursdays I usually go to the gym in the evening.

Focus on the context of the sentences:

• ​I think that Bangkok is an interesting city.

• "I think" now, and "to think" is a verb of feeling/perception

• "Bangkok is an interesting city" is a fact that is always true

• ​That dish looks very tasty.

• ​This is happening now, and "to look" is a verb of perception.

• ​​​On Thursdays I usually go to the gym in the evening.

• ​This is a habit that I have. It happens every Thursday

In all of these sentences we used

the present simple.

​

​Here's when you use it:

• When something is always true

• When something is a habit

• When something is happening now, but only with some verbs (typically, "to be" or verbs of feeling and perception; with verbs of action, we use the present continuous)​

​Of course, you should already know the basics:

​Present simple of the verb "to be":

​I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, you are, they are

​Present simple of any other verb:

• Just delete "to" and only use V1: I look, you think, we watch, they go.

• ​Add an "s" to V1 if the subject is he/she/it: He looks, she thinks, it goes.

Here's how you use the present simple

with a verb in its negative form:

​With the verb "to be", simply add "not" to the correct form of "to be":

​I am not, you are not, he/she/it is not, we are not, you are not, they are not

​With any other verb:

• Write "do not + V1": I do not think, you do not believe, they do not look

• ​Write "does not + V1" if the subject is he/she/it: He does not think

​Typical errors:

• ​I thinking that you looking good in your dress.

• ​I am agree.

• ​People are believe that...

• ​I not think that you not look good in your dress.

• ​I am not agree.

• ​People does not believe that...

Multiple Choice

Many students _______ grammar.

• not like

• are not like

• do not like

• does not like

Multiple Choice

My mother always _______ me if I need help.

• support

• supports

• supporting

• is support

Multiple Choice

Every Sunday evening, my parents and I _____ together at a restaurant.

• eating

• eats

• eat

• are eat

Multiple Choice

The prime minister ________ that the government needs to change its policies.

• not thinks

• does not think

• do not think

• is not think

Multiple Choice

Scientists generally ______ that climate change is a consequence of polluting human activities.

• agreeing

• agrees

• are agree

• agree

Multiple Choice

Despite the abundant evidence that is available, many people __________ that climate change is a real threat.

• do not believe

• are not believe

• not believe

• does not believe

Multiple Choice

This issue __________ important to me.

• is not seem

• not seems

• does not seem

• do not seem

Multiple Choice

The lack of safety on the roads (1)________ a major problem in this country, yet the government (2)_________ anything about it.

• 1) constitute

  2) does not do

• 1) constitutes

  2) does not

• 1) constitutes

  2) does not do

• 1) constitute

  2) do not do

Multiple Choice

The high number of fatal car accidents (1)________ that more (2)______ to be done to improve road safety.

• 1) is indicate

  2) need

• 1) indicates

  2) needs

• 1) indicate

  2) needs

• 1) indicates

  2) is need