[NEW] Simple Present Tense (do-does) – Learn with Games and Exercises | present simple tense – NATAVIGUIDES

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What is simple present tense shortly?

Simple present tense (present simple tense) is a verb tense that describes the events and situations that do not change. “Do” and “does” are the auxiliary verbs of simple present tense. However, “do” and “does” are not used in positive sentences. They are used only in negative and question sentences. The auxiliary verb “does” is used for third person singular (He, She, It). In other subjects (I, You, We, They), the auxiliary verb “do” is used.
The following animated sentences are examples of present simple tense:

 

 

Does

 

Why does

Where does

Emily

likes

eats

eat

does not eat

eat

buy

ice-cream.

QUICK LINKS IN THIS PAGE

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Formation of simple present tense

For affirmative sentences we use the infinite form of the verb. For negative sentences we use “not” after the auxiliary “do” and “does”. For questions we put “do/does” before the subject.

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Which auxiliary (helping verb) to use for simple present tense?

The auxiliary verb in simple present tense is “do / does“. However we use “am, is, are” to talk about a general state or condition.
Examples:

• I work in the office.
• I don’t work in the office.
• Do you work in the office?

• I am in the office.
• I am in the office.
• Are you in the office?

SIMILAR PAGES:
❯❯ Learn verb to be here
❯❯ Learn present continuous tense here
❯❯ Learn future simple tense (will) here
❯❯ Learn be going to future tense here
❯❯ Learn simple past tense here
❯❯ Learn past continuous tense here
❯❯ Learn present perfect tense here

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Positive (Affirmative) sentences in simple present tense

For the formation of positive sentences in simple present tense we do not use “do” or “does” in front of the verb. This may sound strange. Because we know that the auxiliary verbs that precede the verbs help us understand the tense of the sentence. However, the verb is alone here. In addition, for the subjects “He, She, It”, the suffix “-s” is added at the end of the verb.

• I like pizza.
• We go abroad every summer.
• She speaks three languages.
• Lions eat meat.
• Oliver walks to school.
• They play computer games.
• Maria prefers action movies.

✎ NOTE:
The verb “have” changes into “has” when it gets “-s” at the end.

• She has breakfast.
• She doesn’t have breakfast.
• Does she have breakfast?

✎ NOTE:
In positive sentences, when the subject is “He, She, It”, we change “-s” into “-es” or “-ies“. The reason is as follows:

• For the verbs ending with “-s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o” we add “-es” at the end of the verb.
  brushes, kisses, catches, fixes, goes, does etc.
• If the verb has “-y” at the end and it precedes with a consonant letter, we drop the “-y” and add “-ies”
  try> tries, fly> flies, carry> carries etc.

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Negative sentences in simple present tense

For the formation of negative sentences in simple present tense we use “not” together with “do / does“. The short forms are “don’t / doesn’t”

• I don’t like cigarette.
• Sarah doesn’t need help.
• He doesn’t forget names.
• They don’t go out alone.

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Interrogative sentences in simple present tense

For the formation of question sentences (interrogative) in simple present tense we put “do / does” before the subject. This also applies to the “Wh- questions” which we call “information questions” as well.

• Do you like lemonade?
• Does she keep secret?
• Where do you live?
• Why does Molly wear pink dresses?

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Sentence forms in simple present tense

Simple present tense Formula with example sentences
(+) Affirmative sentences
(-) Negative sentences
(?) Interrogative sentences

 I speak
 I don’t speak
 Do you speak?

 You speak
 You don’t speak
 Do you speak?

 He speaks
 He doesn’t speak
 Does he speak?

 She speaks
 She doesn’t speak
 Does she speak?

 It speaks
 It doesn’t speak
 Does it speak?

 We speak
 We don’t speak
 Do we speak?

 They speak
 They don’t speak
 Do they speak?

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Example Sentences

• (+) They like basketball.
• (-) They don’t like basketball.
• (?) Do they like basketball?
• (?) What do they like?

• (+) He likes basketball.
• (-) He doesn’t like basketball.
• (?) Does he like basketball?
• (?) What does he like?

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Explanations and usages of simple present tense

Lets go on with the explanations, usages and time adverbs of simple present tense

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1- Facts or generalizations.

It is used for events and situations that never change.
Examples:

• People need food in this village.
• The wind blows a lot here.
• Trains carry many passengers.
• Smart phones cause some health problems.
• Water boils at 100C degrees.
• The earth revolves around the Sun.
• Lions don’t eat grass.
• Plants give us oxygen.
• Pandas live in China.

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2- Habits, routines or repeated actions.

We use simple present tense to talk about habits and routines.
Examples:

• I get up at 8 o’clock every day.
• Do you drink coffee every day?
• She always brushes her teeth.
• Leo plays his guitar in his room.

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3- Likes and dislikes

We can also use simple present tense to talk about likes and dislikes. Some commonly used verbs are as follows: “like”,”love”, “hate”, “dislike”, “enjoy” etc.
Examples:

• I love ice-cream.
• Do you like playing chess?
• She hates lies.
• Sandra doesn’t like tea with sugar.
• We like to swim.
• I dislike cold weather.

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4- Scheduled events in near future

Examples:

• The train arrives at 9 AM.
• The bus arrives at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
• When do we board the plane?
• When does the wedding ceremony start?
• The films starts at 8.30
• The bus arrives at 6PM.
• The English lesson starts at 10.30.

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5- With non-progressive verbs

Some verbs in English doesn’t have continuous forms. These verbs are called non-progressive or non-continuous verbs. We use simple present tense with these verbs.

Some non-progressive verbs are: believe, know, remember, understand, need, hate, like, love, prefer, want, feel, mean etc.
Examples:

• I know the answer. – CORRECT
  I am knowing the answer. – INCORRECT
• I want some sugar. – CORRECT
  I am wanting some sugar. – INCORRECT
• Brian feels cold. – CORRECT
  Brian isn’t feeling cold. – INCORRECT
• I don’t remember her name. – CORRECT
  I am not remembering her name. – INCORRECT
• Do you understand? – CORRECT
  Are you understanding? – INCORRECT

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6- Narrating events

Example:The man opens the door and goes out slowly. He looks around carefully. Then he sees a little cat under the tree. He grabs it and says “Oh. Are you hungry?”

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Adverbs of Frequency

What are Adverbs of frequency?
Simple present tense indicates repetitive actions, so it is good to say the frequency of these actions. In this case, we use some words called “Frequency adverbs”. These words are used just before the verb. This list of frequency (Frequency Adverbs) is as follows:

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List of frequency adverbs

• always
• usually
• generally
• often
• normally
• frequently
• sometimes
• occasionally
• seldom
• rarely
• hardly ever
• never

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Examples of frequency adverbs

Read the example sentences with the frequency adverbs and try to make similar sentences.
Examples:

• I often eat eggs for the breakfast.
• I never smoke.
• Lisa always walks to school.
• Do you usually get up early?
• You hardly ever say “Thanks”.
• They don’t normally go out for dinner.
• My father often forgets my birthday.
• I generally have breakfast before I go out.

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Memory cards to learn the adverbs of frequency

The cards below have adverbs of frequency. Click on them and try to say the meaning of them in your native language.

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Time adverbs to use in simple present tense.

every ….

• I play football ever weekend.
• We go holiday ever summer.
• She gets up late every day.

once, twice, three times, ten times etc.

• I go to cinema once a month.
• She goes out with her friends twice a week.
• I call my son at least 3 times a day.

on Mondays, at the weekends, in the mornings

• I call my grandparents on Saturdays.
• In the evenings I take a taxi to go back home.

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Verb to be (am, is, are)

We use am, is, are when we talk about a state rather than an action.

• ⬤

  I work in London. (Action verb)

• ⬤

  I am in London. (State verb)

➔

Action verbs examples (do, does)

• Frank works at the hospital.
• Frank doesn’t work at the hospital.
• Does Frank work at the hospital?
• Where does Frank work?

➔

Verb to be examples (am,is,are)

• Frank is at the hospital.
• Frank isn’t at the hospital.
• Is Frank at the hospital?
• Where is Frank?

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Learn simple present tense with images and example sentences

Look at the images below and read the simple present tense sentences

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A dialogue about simple present tense

Here is a dialogue to learn simple present tense. Read and try to make similar dialogues.

1. Do you go holiday every summer?

2. Yes. I do.

   I like summer holidays very much.

3. Where do you go for holiday?

4. In fact, I don’t go to seaside.

   I like camping in the mountains.

5. Really?

   Where do you go for camping?

6. It is up to us.

   We usually decide before we go.

   If you want, you can join us.

7. Why not?

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Translate the sentences about simple present tense.

You will see some examples of simple present tense below. Translate them into your native language.

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Sentence scramble game about simple present tense

You will see scrambled words of simple present tense sentences. Click on the words in order to make a meaningful sentence.

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Example sentences to learn simple present tense

Here are examples of simple present tense below. Some are affirmative some sentences are negative and some are interrogative.

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10 example sentences :

1. I always get up early.
2. I don’t like hot weather.
3. Mr. Anderson usually forgets to lock the door.
4. She keeps secrets.
5. Cats don’t like swimming.
6. She rarely writes emails.
7. Steven looks happy.
8. I like reading poems a lot.
9. The children brush their teeth every day.
10. When I buy something, I read the instructions.

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Questions and answers as simple present tense examples

You will see 10 questions with their answers below. Try to understand the formation of the sentences.

➔

10 questions and answers

1. How do you go to school?
   I go to school by bus.
2. Do you like ice-cream?
   Yes, I like ice-cream.
3. Why do you always wear sunglasses?
   Because I have a problem with my eyes.
4. Does your father help your mother at home?
   Yes, he does.
5. What time do you go to bed?
   I go to bed at about 11 PM.
6. Do you make noise in the classroom?
   No, I don’t.
7. Where are you from?
   I am from Canada.
8. How often do you watch TV?
   I sometimes watch TV.
9. Do you agree with me?
   No, I don’t agree with you.
10. Are you OK?
    Yes, I am OK.

⬤

Reading passage – Daily routine

My daily routine
My name is Lydia Collins. I live in a flat. My day daily routine starts very early. Every morning I wake up at six o’clock and wear my school uniform. Then I have breakfast with my father and mother. My little brother doesn’t have breakfast with us. Because it is too early for him. After breakfast I go out and wait for the school bus. At about 7 AM I get on the bus. I come back home at 3 PM. I feel tired when I come back. I have a rest and play with Dody, our cat. Then I start doing my homework. I try to finish it before 7 PM. So that I can go out and play with my friends. We have dinner at 8 PM. We often have chicken for dinner but I hate chicken. I eat it because mum gets angry. After dinner I watch TV for an hour. I go to bed early because I’m always very tired at the end of the day.

External resources:
You can go on learning with our other games and activities on this category page. You can also learn simple present tense on Wikibooks page here, or watch a video for examples here.

4.7/5 – (15 votes)

What is ?

The present tense in French grammar (le présent) corresponds to the English simple present. It talks about facts, current situations and repeated actions in the present, as well as scheduled future actions. To conjugate a verb in the French present tense, we add specific endings to the infinitive of the verb depending on whether it ends in or

Learn all about in French grammar with Lingolia’s quick and easy examples, then put your knowledge to the test in the exercises.

Example

Le garçon s’appelle Félix. Tous les mardis, il va à l’entraînement de football. Il joue au football depuis cinq ans.

Mardi prochain à 14 heures, son équipe a un match important.

When to use

We use the French present tense to express:

• facts and ongoing situations in the present

Example:

Le garçon

s’appelle

Félix.

The boy is called Félix.

• actions that happen once, multiple times or never in the present

Example:

Tous les mardis, il

va

à l’entraînement de football.

He goes to football training every Tuesday..

• a future action that is already planned or agreed upon (requires a specific future time indicator)

Example:

son équipe

a

un match important.

His team has an important match next Tuesday at 2 o’clock.

• the duration of actions that started in the past and are ongoing in the present.
  Note: French uses the present tense to express this idea, but English talks about duration using the present perfect simple or continuous tenses.

Example:

Il

joue

au football depuis cinq ans.

He’s been playing football for five years..

here = he’s been playing or he’s played

How to conjugate the present tense in French

To conjugate French verbs in the present tense, we remove the infinitive ending or and add the following endings:

Person
Verbs
Type 1Verbs
Type 2
Verbs
Verbs

1st person singular
-e
-is
-s
-s

2nd person singular
-es
-is
-s
-s

3rd person singular
-e
-it
-t
-t / –

1st person plural
-ons
-issons
-ons
-ons

2nd person plural
-ez
-issez
-ez
-ez

3rd person plural
-ent
-issent
-ent
-ent

Verbs

The table below shows the present tense conjugation ofverbs:

Person
Ending

1st person singular
-e
j’aim

e

je chant

e

2nd person singular
-es
tu aim

es

tu chant

es

3rd person singular
-e
il/elle/on aim

e

il/elle/on chant

e

1st person plural
-ons
nous aim

ons

nous chant

ons

2nd person plural
-ez
vous aim

ez

vous chant

ez

3rd person plural
-ent
ils/elles aim

ent

ils/elles chant

ent

Spelling Rules and Exceptions

• For verbs ending in , we add an before the letter in the form in order to preserve the pronunciation of the .

Example:

manger

eat

– je mange, tu manges, il/elle/on mange, nous mang

e

ons, vous mangez, ils/elles mangent

• For verbs ending in , the becomes before the letter in the form in order to preserve pronunciation.

Example:

lancer

throw

– je lance, tu lances, il/elle/on lance, nous lan

ç

ons, vous lancez, ils/elles lancent

• For verbs ending in , the becomes an in the singular forms as well as in the 3rd person plural. (For verbs ending in -, we can write either or .)

Examples:

envoyer

send

– j’envo

i

e, tu envo

i

es, il envo

i

e, nous envoyons, vous envoyez, ils/elles envo

i

ent

payer

pay

– je pa

y

e/pa

i

e

• For many verbs that end in -or – the final consonant is doubled before a silent .
  (Exceptions:

  buy

  ,

  discover

  ,

  freeze

  ,

  pant

  ,

  harass

  ,

  model

  ,

  peel

  )

Examples:

jeter

throw away

– il je

tt

e

appeler

call

– il appe

ll

e

( acheter – j’achète)

• If the final syllable of the word stem contains an or we give it a grave accent () in its conjugated forms (apart from the 1st and 2nd person plural).

Example:

peser

weigh

– je p

è

se, tu p

è

ses, il/elle/on p

è

se, nous pesons, vous pesez, ils/elles p

è

sent

acheter

buy

– j’ach

è

te, tu ach

è

tes, il/elle/on ach

è

te, nous achetons, vous achetez, ils/elles ach

è

tent

céder

give in

– je cède, tu cèdes, il/elle/on cède, nous cédons, vous cédez, ils/elles cèdent

• Remember: the verb is irregular.

Example:

aller

go

– je vais, tu vas, il/elle/on va, nous allons, vous allez, ils/elles vont

Type 1 Verbs

The majority of verbs belong to type 1, which means that the plural forms add before the present tense endings:

Person
Ending

1st person singular
-is
je fin

is

j’agi

s

2nd person singular
-is
tu fin

is

tu agi

s

3rd person singular
-it
il/elle/on fin

it

il/elle/on agi

t

1st person plural
-issons
nous fin

issons

nous ag

issons

2nd person plural
-issez
vous fin

issez

vous ag

issez

3rd person plural
-issent
ils/elles fin

issent

ils/elles ag

issent

Many common verbs are conjugated in this way: applaud, choose, amuse, bloom, grow, put on weight, cure, hate, lose weight, nourish/feed, obey, go pale, punish, slow down, (re)fill, celebrate, meet, succeed, blush, grasp, to age, etc.

Type 2 Verbs

Type 2 verbs can be divided into two kinds: verbs that are conjugated in the same way as verbs, and verbs that are conjugated with in the singular forms

Person
Ending

Ending

1st person singular
-e
j’offr

e

-s
je dor

s

2nd person singular
-es
tu offr

es

-s
tu dor

s

3rd person singular
-e
il/elle/on offr

e

-t
il/elle/on dor

t

1st person plural
-ons
nous offr

ons

-ons
nous dorm

ons

2nd person plural
-ez
vous offr

ez

-ez
vous dorm

ez

3rd person plural
-ent
ils/elles offr

ent

-ent
ils/elles dorm

ent

*Other verbs that follow the same conjugation include: welcome, cover, gather, discover, open, suffer, etc.

**Other verbs that follow the same conjugation include: run, run away, lie, leave, feel, serve, go out, etc.

Note: the verbs and are completely irregular.

Examples:

venir

come

– je viens, tu viens, il/elle/on vient, nous venons, vous venez, ils/elles viennent

tenir

hold

– je tiens, tu tiens, il/elle/on tient, nous tenons, vous tenez, ils/elles tiennent

Verbs

Regular verbs are conjugated as follows:

Person
Ending

1st person singular
-s
je construi

s

je vi

s

2nd person singular
-s
tu construi

s

tu vi

s

3rd person singular
-t
il/elle/on construi

t

il/elle/on vi

t

1st person plural
-ons
nous construis

ons

nous viv

ons

2nd person plural
-ez
vous construis

ez

vous viv

ez

3rd person plural
-ent
ils/elles construis

ent

ils/elles viv

ent

* The following verbs are conjugated in the same way as drive, cook, deduce, destroy, instruct, introduce, harm, produce, reproduce, reduce, seduce, translate.

** The following verbs are conjugated in the same way as follow, chase, relive, survive

Spelling Rules & Exceptions

• Verbs ending in (traditional spelling) or (official spelling since 1990) such as

  know

  ,

  appear

  ,

  be born

  and their variations such as

  recognise

  ,

  disappear

  ,

  be reborn

  are conjugated as follows:

  Example:

  connaître

  know

  – je connais, tu connais, il/elle/on connaît, nous connai

  ss

  ons, vous connai

  ss

  ez, ils/elles connai

  ss

  ent

• Many verbs that end in drink, believe, say, write, do/make, read, please, laugh …) are irregular and change their stem in the plural forms. There is no general rule to learn the conjugations of these verbs, it’s best to learn them by heart.

  Examples:

  boire

  drink

  – je bois, tu bois, il/elle/on boit, nous buvons, vous buvez, ils/elles boivent

  croire

  believe

  – je crois, tu crois, il/elle/on croit, nous croyons, vous croyez, ils/elles croient

  écrire

  write

  – j’écris, tu écris, il/elle/on écrit, nous écrivons, vous écrivez, ils/elles écrivent

  lire

  read

  – je lis, tu lis, il/elle/on lit, nous lisons, vous lisez, ils/elles lisent

Verbs that end in and

Person
Ending

1st person singular
-s
je vend

s

je met

s

2nd person singular
-s
tu vend

s

tu met

s

3rd person singular
–
il/elle/on vend
il/elle/on met

1st person plural
-ons
nous vend

ons

nous mett

ons

2nd person plural
-ez
vous vend

ez

vous mett

ez

3rd person plural
-ent
ils/elles vend

ent

ils/elles mett

ent

Exceptions

• The verb take and its related forms learn, understand, surprise, etc. lose the in their plural forms.
  In addition, the is doubled in the form.

  Example:

  prendre

  take

  – je prends, tu prends, il/elle/on prend, nous pre

  n

  ons, vous pre

  n

  ez, ils/elles pre

  nn

  ent.

• Verbs that end in wait, fear, turn off, combine, paint, pity, dye …) lose the in the singular and plural forms.
  In addition, we transform the to in the plural forms.

  Example:

  peindre

  paint

  – je pein

  s

  , tu pein

  s

  , il/elle/on pein

  t

  , nous pei

  gn

  ons, vous pei

  gn

  ez, ils/elles pei

  gn

  ent

Verbs

Verbs that end in – such as receive, glimpse, design, disappoint, must, perceive are conjugated as follows:

Person
Ending

1st person singular
-s
je reçoi

s

2nd person singular
-s
tu reçoi

s

3rd person singular
-t
il/elle/on reçoi

t

1st person plural
-ons
nous recev

ons

2nd person plural
-ez
vous recev

ez

3rd person plural
-ent
ils/elles reçoiv

ent

Note: the verbs have, must, move, be able to, know, see und want are irregular and are not conjugated in the same way as . Check out their conjugations on our page on irregular verbs in French and practise in the exercises.

Important Irregular Verbs: and

Person

1st person singular
j’

ai

je

suis

je

vais

je

fais

2nd person singular
tu

as

tu

es

tu

vas

tu

fais

3rd person singular
il/elle/on

a

il/elle/on

est

il/elle/on

va

il/elle/on

fait

1st person plural
nous

avons

nous

sommes

nous

allons

nous

faisons

2nd person plural
vous

avez

vous

êtes

vous

allez

vous

faites

3rd person plural
ils/elles

ont

ils/elles

sont

ils/elles

vont

ils/elles

font

the present progressive in French

The , also known as the or the , is the French equivalent of the present progressive in English (I am doing, he is going, etc.). Like its English counterpart, it demonstrates that an action or event is in progress at the moment of speaking.

The is formed as follows:

present tense conjugation of + + infinitive

Examples:

Nous

sommes en train de dîner

.

We’re having dinner.

Les joueurs

sont en train de perdre

le match.

The players are losing the match.

Je

suis en train de repeindre

ma chambre.

I’m repainting my room.

Online exercises to improve your French

Our online exercises for French help you to learn and practice grammar rules in an interactive manner. To make sure that you understand the correct answers, our answer keys offer simple explanations as well as handy tips and tricks.

Le présent – Free Exercise

• Le présent – mixed exercise

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Le présent – Lingolia Plus Exercises

  Become a Lingolia Plus member to access these additional exercises.

1.  

   Le présent – tableaux de conjugaison (être/avoir)

   A1

2.  

   Le présent – tableaux de conjugaison (verbes réguliers)

   A1

3.  

   Le présent – tableaux de conjugaison (verbes irréguliers)

   A2

4.  

   Le présent – être (1)

   A1

5.  

   Le présent – être (2)

   A1

6.  

   Le présent – être (3)

   A1

7.  

   Le présent – avoir (1)

   A1

8.  

   Le présent – avoir (2)

   A1

9.  

   Le présent – être et avoir

   A1

10.  

    Le présent – verbes en -er

    A1

11.  

    Le présent – verbes irréguliers en -er

    A2

12.  

    Le présent – verbes en -ir (1)

    A2

13.  

    Le présent – verbes en -ir (2)

    B1

14.  

    Le présent – verbes en -re

    A2

15.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : aller

    A2

16.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : boire

    A2

17.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : devoir

    A2

18.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : dire

    A2

19.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : pouvoir

    A2

20.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : savoir

    A2

21.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : venir

    A2

22.  

    Le présent – verbe irrégulier : vouloir

    A2

23.  

    Le présent – négation (1)

    A1

24.  

    Le présent – négation (2)

    A1

25.  

    Le présent – négation (verbes pronominaux)

    A2

26.  

    Le présent – place des mots (affirmation)

    A2

27.  

    Le présent – place des mots (interrogation)

    A2

28.  

    Le présent – emplois du présent (1)

    A1

29.  

    Le présent – emplois du présent (2)

    A1

30.  

    Le présent – Félix et Patrick

    A1

31.  

    Le présent – Jean et Sarah

    A2

32.  

    Le présent – Le rossignol

    A2

33.  

    Le présent – La guitare

    A2

34.  

    Le présent – présent continu (1)

    A1

35.  

    Le présent – présent continu (2)

    A2

36.  

    Le présent – présent continu (3)

    A2

A1

Beginner

A2

Elementary

B1

Intermediate

B2

Upper intermediate

C1

Advanced