The present simple at CEFR Level A1
The present simple at CEFR Level A1

Ready to unlock EVERYTHING on our online IELTS preparation site, as well as getting LIVE SPEAKING ASSESSMENTS and getting your WRITING TESTS GRADED by IELTS examiners?

No advertising, your own support tutor and so much more!

The present simple at CEFR Level A1. In English grammar, the present simple is used to talk about habits and routines.

Here is an example of the present simple in a sentence:

I work on weekdays.

The present simple can also be used to talk about something you don’t do.

I don’t eat meat.

The present simple verb can change if you talk about other people.

Positive + Negative –
I work don’t work.
You work don’t work.
We work don’t work.
He works doesn’t work.
She works doesn’t work.
It works doesn’t work.
They work don’t work.

The present simple also changes if you ask questions about other people.

Do I work?
Do you work?
Do we work?
Does he work?
Does she work?
Does it work?
Do they work?

For he, she or it, the present simple changes:

I miss He misses verb ends in ‘s’ add +es
I fly He flies verbs ends in consonant + ‘y’ add +ies
I wash He washes verb ends in ‘sh’ add +es
I fix He fixes verb ends in ‘x’ add +es
I buzz It buzzes verb ends in ‘z’ add +es

Another change that happens with the present simple is with have.

I have a new car. I don’t have a new car. Do I have a new car?
You have a new car. You don’t have a new car. Do you have a new car?
We have a new car. We don’t have a new car. Do we have a new car?
He has a new car. He doesn’t have a new car. Does he have a new car?
She has a new car. She doesn’t have a new car. Does she have a new car?
It has new tyres. It doesn’t have new tyres. Does it have new tyres?
They have a new car. They don’t have new car. Do they have a new car?

Now test your skills with a practice exercise. Click the link in the table below.