Present Simple 2: Use and Adverbs of Frequency
Usage: In English, the Simple Present tense gives a general sense of the action using the -s or -es endings for most verbs.
I always eat fast food.
Do you watch TV every day?
Remember that only for 3rd person singular (he, she, it), the -s ending is added to the verb in affirmative sentences. Also, notice that in negative and question forms, the -s ending is removed for these pronouns:
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-you-we-they | play | don’t | Do you play? |
| He-she-it | plays | doesn’t | Does she play? |
For 3rd person singular (he, she, it), -s, -es, or -ies (when -y is removed) endings are used. Note that in the negative form, “doesn’t” is used for “he-she-it”.
When is “Present Simple” used?
1. Habits & routines (When talking about habitual actions and routines)
Mark leaves the office at 6:30.
2. Permanent states (When describing permanent situations)
My father works as a police officer. My mother doesn’t work.
Where do you live?
I live in Izmir.
Do you wake up early?
No, I don’t. I wake up very late.
How do you travel to work?
I travel to school by bus.
Do you like baseball?
I like baseball very much.
Adverbs of Frequency
always – 100%
usually – 70%
often – 50%
sometimes – 25%
rarely – 20%
hardly ever – 10%
never – 0%
I rarely drive to work.
She hardly ever goes to the cinema with her friends.
Adverbs of frequency are used after the verb “to be”.
I am always late for work.