A2daily

Present Simple Negative Exercises - Daily English 2

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 make) breakfast every morning.
  2. They (not go) to the gym after work.
  3. We (not read) the newspaper daily.
  4. He (not help) his children with homework.
  5. You (not take) photos of nature.
  6. I (not enjoy) jogging in the park.
  7. The cat (not sleep) on the sofa.
  8. The library (not open) at 10 AM.
  9. She (not call) her friend every evening.
  10. We (not meet) at the cafe every Sunday.
  11. He (not drive) to the office.
  12. They (not visit) museums often.
  13. You (not learn) new languages.
  14. I (not bake) cookies for my neighbors.
  15. The bird (not sing) in the morning.
  16. Our group (not discuss) books every month.
  17. She (not watch) the news every night.
  18. We (not exercise) at home.
  19. He (not clean) the kitchen every day.
  20. They (not swim) in the pool regularly.
  21. You (not play) the guitar beautifully.
  22. I (not meditate) in the mornings.
  23. The kids (not draw) pictures in their notebooks.
  24. The clock (not tick) loudly.
  25. She (not plan) her week on Sundays.

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."