Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 2 · B1

Present simple (I do)

Use the present simple for things that are true in general, things that happen again and again, and how often they happen. Questions and negatives are made with do and does.

Start the lesson

17Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

What the present simple isA2 screens of questions
Things in general, and things that happen repeatedlyB2 screens of questions
Questions and negatives: do and doesC2 screens of questions
How often we do thingsD2 screens of questions
I promise, I apologise and similarE2 screens of questions

Point A of 5

What the present simple is

Nadia is a dentist. At the moment, however, it is three in the morning and she is at home, asleep.

She is not treating anybody now. She is asleep. All the same, she treats patients. She is a dentist, whether or not she is awake to prove it.

treat(s), work(s), do(es) and so on are the present simple:

Subject Verb
I / we / you / they treat, work, do
he / she / it treats, works, does
  • Nadia treats patients. She's a dentist.
  • I work in a garden centre.
  • My brothers live in Doncaster.

Point A · Exercise 2.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using these verbs in the present simple.

Use these

cause(s)close(s)connect(s)go(es)live(s)speak(s)take(s)

  1. Example

    Mehmet speaks Turkish and English at home.

    AnswerMehmet speaks Turkish and English at home.

  2. My cousins to the same college as me.

  3. Ice on the roads a lot of accidents in winter.

  4. The chemist at 6 o'clock on Saturdays.

  5. My grandparents in a bungalow near the sea.

Point A · Exercise 2.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using these verbs in the present simple.

Use these

cause(s)close(s)connect(s)go(es)live(s)speak(s)take(s)

  1. The village show place every August.

  2. The Humber Bridge Hull and North Lincolnshire.

Point B of 5

Things in general, and things that happen repeatedly

The present simple covers the general picture: what happens all the time, what happens over and over, and what is simply a fact.

With he, she and it, the verb gains -s or -es:

I / you / we / they he / she / it
I work he works
you go it goes
they teach my sister teaches
I have he has

Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x and -o take -es (passes, washes, watches, fixes, does). A consonant plus -y turns into -ies (study, studies).

  • Plumbers fix pipes and boilers.
  • I usually visit my mum on Sundays.
  • Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
  • The library opens at 9 o'clock on Saturdays.

Point B · Exercise 2.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using these verbs. Sometimes you need the negative.

Use these

believeeatflowgogrowmakerisetelltranslate

  1. Example

    The number 7 bus goes past the hospital.

    AnswerThe number 7 bus goes past the hospital.

  2. Example

    Bananas don't grow in Britain. It's far too cold.

    AnswerBananas don't grow in Britain. It's far too cold.

  3. Bread dough if you leave it somewhere warm.

  4. A potter bowls and jugs out of clay.

  5. Vegans eggs or cheese.

  6. My grandad in ghosts, although he still won't go down to the cellar.

Point B · Exercise 2.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using these verbs. Sometimes you need the negative.

Use these

believeeatflowgogrowmakerisetelltranslate

  1. Sian works for the council. She documents from Welsh into English.

  2. Honest people lies.

  3. The River Severn into the Bristol Channel.

Point C of 5

Questions and negatives: do and does

Use do/does to make questions and don't/doesn't to make negatives. The main verb then goes back to its plain form: does she work, not does she works.

Question Negative
do I / we / you / they work? I / we / you / they don't work
does he / she / it work? he / she / it doesn't work

Do can also be the main verb, in which case it appears twice: What do you do? He doesn't do anything.

  • I come from Rotherham. Where do you come from?
  • I don't eat out very often.
  • What does 'skint' mean? (not What means 'skint'?)
  • Olives don't grow well in Yorkshire.
  • "What do you do?" "I'm a nurse."
  • He never helps at home. He doesn't do any of the washing up.

Point C · Exercise 2.2 · part 1 of 2

Put the verb into the correct form.

  1. Example

    Our cat doesn't like (not / like) the rain very much.

    AnswerOur cat doesn't like the rain very much.

  2. What time (the post office / open) on Saturdays?

  3. I've got a bike, but I (not / ride) it very often.

  4. Where (Tomasz / come) from? Is he Polish?

  5. "What (you / do)?" "I work in a bakery."

Point C · Exercise 2.2 · part 2 of 2

Put the verb into the correct form.

  1. Look at this label. What (this symbol / mean)?

  2. Gareth is always tired. He (not / get) enough sleep.

  3. It (take) me twenty minutes to walk to the station. How long (it / take) you?

Point D of 5

How often we do things

Use the present simple to say how often something happens: every morning, twice a week, usually, never, not very often and so on.

  • I catch the 7.15 train every morning.
  • How often do you clean your car?
  • Ellie doesn't eat meat very often.
  • My uncle usually goes to Spain two or three times a year.

Point D · Exercise 2.4 · part 1 of 2

You are asking Priya about herself and her family. Write the questions, using the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    You know that Priya goes swimming. You want to know how often. (how often / you / go swimming?)

    How often do you go swimming?

    AnswerHow often do you go swimming?

  2. Perhaps Priya's husband swims as well. You want to know. (your husband / swim?)

  3. Priya is always at the theatre. You're curious how often. (how often / you / see a play?)

  4. You know that Priya's sister has a job. You want to know what she does. (what / your sister / do?)

  5. You are not sure whether Priya speaks Welsh. You want to know. (you / speak Welsh?)

Point D · Exercise 2.4 · part 2 of 2

You are asking Priya about herself and her family. Write the questions, using the words in brackets.

  1. You don't know where Priya's cousins live. You want to know. (where / your cousins / live?)

Point E of 5

I promise, I apologise and similar

Some verbs perform an act just by being said. Saying I promise is the promise; saying I suggest is the suggestion. Verbs like these take the present simple, not the continuous.

Others in the same group: I agree, I refuse, I insist, I recommend, I advise, I apologise.

  • I promise I'll ring you tonight. (not I'm promising)
  • "What do you recommend?" "I recommend the soup."
  • I apologise for the delay.
  • I refuse to pay four pounds for a coffee.

Point E · Exercise 2.5 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using these phrases.

Use these

I agreeI apologiseI insistI promiseI recommendI suggest

  1. Example

    The doctor is fully booked today. I suggest you ring again on Monday morning.

    AnswerThe doctor is fully booked today. I suggest you ring again on Monday morning.

  2. I'll be home by eleven. I won't be late again.

  3. Two friends are at the till in a café, and one of them is reaching for her purse.

    Put your purse away. . This one's on me.

  4. for shouting at you earlier. It was unfair of me.

  5. the chippy by the harbour in Whitby. The fish is excellent.

Point E · Exercise 2.5 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using these phrases.

Use these

I agreeI apologiseI insistI promiseI recommendI suggest

  1. You're quite right about the parking. with you completely.

Lesson 2 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Present continuous and present simple 1 (I am doing and I do)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. What the present simple is–Not checkedB. Things in general, and things that happen repeatedly–Not checkedC. Questions and negatives: do and does–Not checkedD. How often we do things–Not checkedE. I promise, I apologise and similar–Not checked