The Simple Present
Before you continue the lesson read the following passage and try to see how the verbs are formed and used.
James is a taxi driver. He drives a taxi. But on Sundays he doesn't drive his taxi. He stays at home.
The verb be, drive, stay are in the simple present.
Remember the verbs in the third person singular (he,she and it) always take an "s". For example, "he plays, she sings,it works..."
The use of the simple present:
The simple present is used:
to give your opinion - I like ice cream. I don't like spicy food.
to talk about schedules - The library opens at eight. It doesn't open at 7.
to talk about daily habits (routine actions)- Sara eats a cheese for breakfast every day. She doesn't eat cereal.
to give facts - The earth circles the sun. The moon doesn't circle the sun.
Things to remember about the simple present:
1.In the interrogative forms, we use "do" or "does".
"Do you like the house?"
"Does she go to school?"
2; Verbs never take an "s" in the the negative and interrogative forms.
"Does he speak German?"
"Do they play soccer?"
She doesn't like ice cream.
3. don't is the short form of "do not". You can say either:
I do not speak Italian, or
I don't speak Italian.
4.doesn't is the short form of "does not". you can say either:
He does not listen to jazz music, or
He doesn't listen to jazz music.