Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 5 · A1

I do/work/like etc. (present simple)

Use the present simple (I work, she works) for things that are true in general and things that happen regularly. After he, she and it the verb takes -s.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 26 minutes

In this lesson

The formA2 screens of questions
Things true in general, or that happen regularlyB5 screens of questions
always, never, often, sometimes, usuallyC3 screens of questions

Point A of 3

The form

Two scenes:

  • Two friends are at a table covered in newspapers. They read a lot. (They are reading now, and they do it all the time.)
  • A man is eating a bowl of strawberries with a happy face. He likes strawberries.

They read, he likes, I work and so on are the present simple.

I / we / you / they read like work live watch do have
he / she / it reads likes works lives watches does has

After he, she, it the verb ends in -s. Forgetting it is the most common mistake in this unit, so it is worth remembering.

I have becomes he / she / it has.

Spelling:
-es after -s, -sh, -ch pass → passes, push → pushes, catch → catches
-y → -ies study → studies, carry → carries
also do → does, go → goes
  • I work in a café. My sister works in a hospital.
  • Ravi lives in Bradford. His parents live in Leicester.
  • It snows a lot here in January.
  • Becky has a cup of tea every morning at seven.

Point A · Exercise 5.1 · part 1 of 2

Write these verbs with -s or -es.

  1. Example

    (write) she writes

    Answershe writes

  2. (want) he

  3. (cry) she

  4. (close) it

  5. (have) he

Point A · Exercise 5.1 · part 2 of 2

Write these verbs with -s or -es.

  1. (catch) she

Point B of 3

Things true in general, or that happen regularly

The present simple describes things that are always or generally true, and things that happen regularly, now and then or every time.

  • I like small villages.
  • The library opens at 10 o'clock and closes at 6.
  • Martin works very long hours. He starts at 6 and finishes at 7 in the evening.
  • The Moon goes round the Earth.
  • We play a lot of board games at the weekend.
  • It costs a fortune to park in the town centre.

Point B · Exercise 5.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences about the people in the scenes. Use these verbs.

Use these

eatgoliveplayplaysleep

  1. Example

    A man is standing next to a drum kit. He says: "My drums."

    He plays the drums.

    AnswerHe plays the drums.

  2. A couple are standing in front of a tiny cottage. They say: "Our house."

    They in a very small house.

  3. A woman is holding a big bowl of vegetables.

    She a lot of vegetables.

  4. Two men are on a golf course with their clubs.

    They golf.

  5. A couple are holding swimming bags. They say: "We love the pool."

    They swimming a lot.

Point B · Exercise 5.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences about the people in the scenes. Use these verbs.

Use these

eatgoliveplayplaysleep

  1. A man is in bed. A sign above him says: "NINE HOURS A NIGHT".

    He nine hours a night.

Point B · Exercise 5.3 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use these verbs.

Use these

boilclosecostcostlikelikemeetopenspeakteachwash

  1. Example

    Dariusz speaks three languages.

    AnswerDariusz speaks three languages.

  2. In this town the shops usually at 9 o'clock in the morning.

  3. The swimming pool at 8 o'clock in the evening.

  4. My aunt is a teacher. She English to adults.

  5. I work in a hotel. I a lot of people from different countries.

Point B · Exercise 5.3 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use these verbs.

Use these

boilclosecostcostlikelikemeetopenspeakteachwash

  1. Ruth her car every Sunday morning.

  2. Living in London is expensive. It a lot of money.

  3. Train tickets are expensive. They a lot of money.

  4. Our new kettle is very fast. It in one minute.

Point B · Exercise 5.3 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use these verbs.

Use these

boilclosecostcostlikelikemeetopenspeakteachwash

  1. Kirsty and I are best friends. I her and she me.

Point C of 3

always, never, often, sometimes, usually

always / never / often / sometimes / usually + present simple

These words usually go before the main verb. We say Kate always walks to work (not Kate walks always to work).

  • Kate always walks to work.
  • I usually take the bus, but sometimes I get a taxi.
  • My dad never drinks coffee.
  • Josh lives round the corner. We often see him in the shop.

Point C · Exercise 5.4 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences from these words. Put the verb in the right form (arrive or arrives and so on).

  1. Example

    (always / on time / Rob / arrive)

    Rob always arrives on time.

    AnswerRob always arrives on time.

  2. (football / I / watch / often)

  3. (cook / my dad / on Sundays / usually)

  4. (Sophie / always / a scarf / wear)

  5. (lunch / we / have / always / at 1 o'clock)

Point C · Exercise 5.4 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences from these words. Put the verb in the right form (arrive or arrives and so on).

  1. (coffee / Dan / drink / never)

  2. (sweets / like / children / usually)

  3. (Mo / weddings / enjoy / always)

Point C · Exercise 5.5

Write sentences about yourself. Use always, never, often, sometimes or usually.

  1. Example

    (listen to the radio)

    I never listen to the radio. / I usually listen to the radio in the car.

    Example answerI usually listen to the radio in the car.

  2. (read the newspaper)

  3. (go to bed after midnight)

  4. (walk to work or school)

  5. (drink tea)

Lesson 5 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I don't ... (present simple negative)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. The form–Not checkedB. Things true in general, or that happen regularly–Not checkedC. always, never, often, sometimes, usually–Not checked