Present Simple Lesson 1
Hey there! Coach Dan here, pulling up a chair with my coffee to help you master the Present Simple. We use this every single day to talk about habits, routines, and facts. And trust me, once you get the rhythm, you'll sound more natural in everyday conversations!
**So, how do we build a sentence?**
Let's keep it simple!
- **Positive (+):** Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he, she, it).
*I drink coffee every morning.* / *She drinks coffee every morning.*
- **Negative (β):** Subject + don't/doesn't + base verb.
*I don't drink tea.* / *He doesn't drink tea.*
- **Questions (?):** Do/Does + subject + base verb?
*Do you drink coffee every day?* / *Does she drink coffee every day?*
Here's a little tip: When we use **does** or **doesn't**, the main verb goes back to its base form. We say *"Does he like coffee?"*, not *"Does he likes coffee?"*
**Now, how do we know when to use it? Look for these clues!**
We often use the Present Simple with words and phrases like:
- **Always** β I always have breakfast at home.
- **Usually** β I usually wake up at seven.
- **Often** β I often meet my friends at a coffee shop.
- **Sometimes** β I sometimes skip breakfast.
- **Never** β I never drink coffee at night.
- **Every day / every morning / on Mondays** β She goes to the gym every evening.
These are called *frequency expressions* or *time expressions*. They often help us recognise routines and repeated actions.
**One last thing to remember!**
We use the Present Simple for:
- **Habits and routines:** Things we do regularly.
- **Facts:** Things that are generally true.
- **Likes and preferences:** Things we enjoy or don't enjoy.
For example, "I love coffee" tells us about a preference, while "Water boils at 100Β°C at standard atmospheric pressure" describes a fact.
Alright, your turn! Think about your morning routine. What do you usually do first when you wake up? Tell me in one sentence using the Present Simple. Don't worry about making mistakes β let's practise together!
A Morning Routine Chat
π Dan is chatting with his friend Sarah about their morning habits.
Hey Sarah! Do you always start your day with a coffee?
I do! My husband makes a fresh pot every single morning.
That sounds lovely. Does he enjoy it too?
Actually, he prefers tea, but he loves the smell of coffee.
βI like to start the day with a quick stretch.β
βHe checks his emails every single morning.β
βI prefer reading books over watching TV.β
Take a breath, relax your shoulders, and repeat each phrase out loud with me! Don't worry about being perfectβconfidence comes from mouth muscle memory and having fun with the flow.
When we talk about 'He' or 'She' in the Present Simple, what do we usually add to the verb?
Speak: Answer Aloud
Answer each question out loud using complete sentences about your actual life.
What is one thing you do every single day?
Does anyone in your family speak English well?
Describe your morning routine to me in 30 seconds using the Present Simple.