A2business

Present Simple Negative Exercises - Business English 3

Type your answer in each blank and press Enter to check it, or use Check answers below. A cue in (brackets) is the word to put in the right form.

Use the present simple with ordinary verbs (work, go, have, want, need) to talk about facts, habits, routines and timetables, things that are generally or regularly true. With I, you, we and they the verb keeps its base form: "I work in finance", "We need the report by Friday". With he, she and it you add -s: "She works in finance", "He needs the figures today". Watch the spelling: most verbs add -s (works), verbs ending in -o, -ch, -sh, -ss, -x add -es (goes, watches, finishes), and a consonant + y changes to -ies (study to studies, but play stays plays). To make negatives and questions, use the auxiliary do/does and return the main verb to its base form: "I do not (don't) agree", "She does not (doesn't) handle that account", "Do you work on Mondays?", "Does he report to you?". A very common mistake is keeping the -s after does: write "Does she work here?", never "Does she works here?". Likewise, the -s appears only once: "He wants" is correct, "He want" and "He does wants" are not. Time words such as usually, often, every day and on Fridays sit naturally with this tense.

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. She (not organize) events regularly.
  2. They (not complete) the annual review on time.
  3. We (not utilize) the available resources efficiently.
  4. He (not communicate) with the stakeholders.
  5. You (not adhere) to the deadlines.
  6. I (not perform) well under pressure.
  7. The team (not follow) the project timeline.
  8. The company (not allocate) enough budget for marketing.
  9. She (not review) the performance reports.
  10. We (not attend) the industry seminars.
  11. He (not develop) new business strategies.
  12. They (not maintain) the equipment properly.
  13. You (not support) your team members.
  14. I (not focus) on short-term goals.
  15. The manager (not monitor) the team's progress.
  16. Our department (not innovate) frequently.
  17. She (not manage) her time effectively.
  18. We (not prioritize) customer satisfaction.
  19. He (not involve) himself in the daily operations.
  20. They (not follow) up with clients.
  21. You (not plan) for unexpected challenges.
  22. I (not check) my emails regularly.
  23. The team (not achieve) their quarterly goals.
  24. The company (not support) remote working.
  25. She (not update) her skills.

Common questions

When do you use the present simple instead of the present continuous?

Use the present simple for habits, routines and permanent facts: "I start work at nine", "Our office closes at six." Use the present continuous for actions happening right now or temporary situations: "I'm writing the report at the moment." Compare "She manages the Berlin team" (her ongoing job) with "She's covering for a colleague this week" (temporary).

How do I form negatives and questions with present simple verbs?

Add the auxiliary do or does and keep the main verb in its base form. For I/you/we/they use do: "I don't agree", "Do you have a minute?" For he/she/it use does: "He doesn't reply quickly", "Does she know about the meeting?" The -s moves onto does, so the main verb loses it: say "Does he work late?", never "Does he works late?"

When exactly do I add -s or -es to the verb?

Only with the third person singular: he, she, it, or a single person or thing (the manager, the system). Add plain -s to most verbs (sends, needs). Add -es after -o, -ch, -sh, -ss and -x (goes, watches, fixes). If the verb ends in a consonant plus y, change y to -ies (study to studies). Example: "The system updates every night and finishes by dawn."