Present Simple

Concept

We use the present simple for four core ideas: habits and routines, facts and general truths, permanent or long-term situations, and fixed schedules and timetables. It is not about what is happening at this exact moment.

نستخدم المضارع البسيط للعادات والحقائق والأوضاع الدائمة والجداول الزمنية الثابتة، لا لما يحدث الآن.

Form

Affirmative

Subject + base verb · he / she / it → verb + s / es

Negative

Subject + do / does not + base verb

Question

Do / Does + subject + base verb ?

After does / doesn't, the main verb always returns to its base form.

Third-person spelling rules

• Most verbs → + s

  read → reads · play → plays

• Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o → + es

  watch → watches · go → goes

• Consonant + y → -ies

  study → studies · carry → carries

• have → has

  She has two classes today.

Main uses

• Habits and routines

  العادات والروتين

  • • I wake up at six every morning.
  • • He studies for two hours after school.

• Facts and general truths

  الحقائق العامة

  • • Water boils at 100 °C.
  • • The STEP test measures English proficiency.

• Permanent or long-term situations

  الأوضاع الدائمة أو طويلة الأمد

  • • She works at a language institute.
  • • They live in Jeddah.

• Schedules and timetables

  الجداول الزمنية الثابتة

  • • The exam starts at 8:00 tomorrow.
  • • The flight leaves at noon.

Signal words

Common STEP traps

• ❌ She doesn't teaches English.

  ✅ She doesn't teach English.

  After doesn't the main verb returns to its base form.

• ❌ Does he works on Fridays?

  ✅ Does he work on Fridays?

  After Does the main verb has no -s.

• ❌ The flight will leave at 8:30 tomorrow (timetable).

  ✅ The flight leaves at 8:30 tomorrow.

  Fixed schedules use the present simple even for future time.

• ❌ He go to school every day.

  ✅ He goes to school every day.

  Third person singular needs -s / -es.

• ❌ I am knowing the answer.

  ✅ I know the answer.

  State verbs (know, believe, own, seem) are not used in the progressive.

• ❌ The sun is rising in the east.

  ✅ The sun rises in the east.

  A permanent general truth takes the present simple.

Model sentences

• Students usually revise vocabulary before the STEP test.

  يراجع الطلاب المفردات عادةً قبل اختبار ستيب.

• My brother doesn't drink coffee at night.

  أخي لا يشرب القهوة في الليل.

• Does the library open on Fridays?

  هل تفتح المكتبة أيام الجمعة؟

• Practice makes perfect.

  الممارسة تصنع الإتقان.