A2daily

Present Simple Negative Exercises - Daily 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 brush) her hair every morning.
  2. They (not read) books before bed.
  3. We (not visit) the park on weekdays.
  4. He (not cook) dinner every night.
  5. You (not listen) to the radio in the car.
  6. I (not walk) my dog in the evening.
  7. The kids (not play) video games after school.
  8. The bakery (not open) on Sundays.
  9. She (not call) her parents every day.
  10. We (not meet) for lunch on Mondays.
  11. He (not ride) his bike on weekends.
  12. They (not watch) TV during dinner.
  13. You (not drink) coffee in the afternoon.
  14. I (not study) French at school.
  15. The dog (not chase) the mailman.
  16. Our friends (not travel) during the winter.
  17. She (not water) the garden daily.
  18. We (not shop) at that store often.
  19. He (not clean) his car regularly.
  20. They (not play) chess on weekends.
  21. You (not sing) in the shower.
  22. I (not write) letters anymore.
  23. The baby (not cry) at night.
  24. The train (not arrive) at this station.
  25. She (not make) her bed every day.

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."