english simple present tense exercises grammar usage

A) Present Simple Tense

The present simple tense is used for;

• facts that are always true
• things expected to don’t change
• feelings
• thoughts and ideas
• things that happen regularly.

The grammar rule of present simple tense is as following;

Positive Sentences: Subject + [Verb(1)/verb(1)(-s)]/am, is, are + complement

Negative Sentences: Subject + [don’t/ doesn’t+verb(1)]/[am, is, are not] + complement

Question Sentences 1: [Do/Does] / [am/is/are] + subject + Verb(1) (If we use do/does) + complement

Question Sentences 2: Question words(such as what, why, how, etc.) + [do/does] / [am/is/are] + subject + complement

Note: We use am/is/are formed sentences for names, nationalities, jobs, family, feelings, position, and time.

Examples;

• My name is Emre. / He is Turkish. / They are students. / She is not married. / Are you hungry? / Where is the station?
• I like Turkey. / He goes to school. / You don’t work. / She doesn’t live in Ankara.
• What do you study? / Does he have time? / Do you go to school? / When does she get up?

B) Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous tense is used to;

• describe something that is happening while we are speaking
• mention about something happening around now, for a limited period of time
• talk about what is happening in photos and pictures.

The grammar rule of present continuous tense is as following;

Positive Sentences: Subject + am/is/are + Verb (ing) +complement

Negative Sentences: Subject + am/is/are + not + Verb (ing) + complement

Question Sentences 1: Am/is/are + subject + Verb (ing) + complement

Question Sentences 2: Question words (such as what, who, how, etc.) + am/is/are + subject + Verb (ing) + complement

Examples; 

• I am watching TV. / She is not going to school. / Are you sitting here? / What are you doing?

C) Comparison of Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense

• First of all, while we use present simple tense to talk about things that we do regularly (we use time expressions such as usually, often, every day once a week etc.), we use present continuous tense to talk about things that is happening while we are speaking. (we use time expressions such as right now, at the moment, etc.)
• Examples; Emre studies history. / Emre is studying history right now.
• In addition, while we use present simple tense for permanent situations, we use present continuous tense for temporary situations. (we use time expressions such as today, this week, at the moment, etc.)
• Examples; I work in Ankara. / This month I am working in Ankara.