English Grammar

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Warm-Up Question: What are some activities you do with your family and friends when you go to a park? What do you NOT do at the park? (Some people study there, but other people do not.)

Grammar Focus: Simple Present Tense with Action Verbs

The simple present tense is used to talk about habits, routines, and facts. We use the base form of the verb for I, you, we, and they. For he, she, and it, we usually add -s or -es to the verb.

I eat breakfast at 7 a.m.
She eats lunch at 12:00.

Use this form to describe what people do every day, every week, or usually. For example, “They walk to school” means this is their normal way of getting there.

Spelling Rules for He/She/It:

• For most verbs, just add -s:
  play → plays, read → reads

• For verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -x, -s, or -o, add -es:
  watch → watches, go → goes, wash → washes

• If a verb ends in a consonant + y, change the y to -ies:
  study → studies, carry → carries

⚠️ Do not change the y if the verb ends in vowel + y:
enjoy → enjoys, stay → stays

Also, remember that third-person singular subjects must always match with the correct verb form. This is one of the most common mistakes for English learners. Saying “He go to school” is incorrect—it should be “He goes to school.” Paying attention to small changes in spelling helps your speaking and writing sound more natural and correct. With regular practice, using the simple present becomes easier, especially in everyday conversations about your life, family, and routines.

🗣️ Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking

The simple present tense helps you talk about daily life and understand common questions. You’ll hear it a lot in conversations, especially when people ask about habits, describe routines, or talk about general truths.

Here’s when it helps:

• Meeting new people:
  “What do you do?” / “I work in a store.”
  “Where does she live?” / “She lives in Boston.”
• Describing schedules and routines:
  “He wakes up at 6.”
  “We start class at 9.”
  “My parents cook dinner every night.”
• Talking about facts:
  “Water boils at 100°C.”
  “The sun rises in the east.”
  “Birds fly in the sky.”
• Understanding instructions or public announcements:
  “The bus leaves at 5.”
  “The library opens at 10.”

This grammar helps you answer clearly, ask simple questions, and follow conversations about daily life, work, school, and more. It’s useful in both casual and professional situations. The more you hear and use the simple present, the easier it becomes to speak naturally and confidently.

Now, practice your grammar skills with this game.

Use these questions to help you talk about daily life using action verbs like eat, go, and study. These simple present tense patterns will help you share your routine, ask about others, and understand common conversations. Practice speaking clearly and listening for verbs and time words like every day, at 7 a.m., or after dinner. This will help you sound more natural and confident in English.

Talk About Your Daily Routine:
What are 2 or 3 things you do every day? Use “I ___” with an action verb.
➤ For example: “I get up at 7 a.m. I eat breakfast and go to work.”

Talk About Someone You Know:
Choose a friend or family member. What does he or she do on weekdays?
➤ For example: “She goes to school. She studies English. She plays soccer.”

Talk About a Group’s Routine:
Think about your class, coworkers, or family. What do they do together?
➤ For example: “We study English on Monday. We eat lunch at 12. They work in a restaurant.”

Ask and Answer About Habits:
Work with a partner. Ask questions like “What do you do after school?” and answer using the simple present.
➤ For example:
A: “What do you do after class?”
B: “I go home and watch TV.”

Describe a Schedule or Rule:
Talk about something that happens regularly, like a class schedule or a job routine.
➤ For example: “The class starts at 9 a.m. It ends at 10:30. My dad works every day except Sunday.”

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