Unit 1 – present simple

The present simple
Let’s look at:
When do we use the present simple?
How do we make sentences in the present simple?
Adverbs of frequency – how and when do we use them?
When do we use the present simple?
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Function: When do we use the present simple?
I work every Saturday afternoon in a shop, so I usually do exercise in the mornings.
Look at what the girl says. She talks about two actions. Which are they?
1. I work every Saturday afternoon.
2. I usually do exercise in the mornings.
Which action describes a habit or routine?
I usually do exercise in the mornings.
Which action describes something that is always (or usually) true?
I work every Saturday afternoon in a shop.
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Function: When do we use the present simple?
1. For something that is usually or always true.
I work every Saturday afternoon in a shop.
2. For routines and habits (often with adverbs of frequency).
I usually do exercise in the mornings.
This is something that is true. It’s a fact.
Usually is an adverb of frequency. It tells us how often the girl does exercise. More on these later…
How do we make sentences in the present simple?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Form: present simple in positives, negatives and questions
Look at the examples and complete the patterns for the positive, negative and question forms with the boxes below.
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
Form: present simple in positives, negatives and questions
Look at the examples and patterns for the positive, negative and question forms again.
With which person (I, you, he/she/it, we, they) do we add -s/-es/-ies to the verb in the positive?
Third person singular: he/she/it
With which person (I, you, he/she/it, we, they) do we use the auxiliary does instead of do in negatives and questions?
Third person singular: he/she/it

Form: present simple in positives, negatives and questions
We only change or add to the verb in the present simple in the third person singular (he/she/it).
Look! ‘I work in a shop.’ ‘They work in a shop.’ ‘You work in a shop.’
No change to the verb!
In the negative and question form in the third person singular (he/she/it), we use doesn’t/does not/does.
The infinitive of a verb is the form you find in a dictionary, e.g. eat, drink, work.
Some questions (yes/no questions) don’t have a question words.
But here we add an -s. ‘He works in a bakery.’
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Things to consider…
We now know that in the positive in the third person (he/she/it), we add -s, -es, or -ies.
…but when do we add -s,
-es or -ies? It depends on the spelling of the verb. Look…
consonant
-y
Adverbs of frequency: when do we use them?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2
consonant
-y

Function: adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often or frequently we do something. For example, ‘I usually do exercise everyday.’
Usually is an adverb of frequency. It tells us how often the girl does exercise.
Look at the example of usually on the scale of frequency. Now put the other adverbs of frequency on the scale.
never
sometimes
not usually
often
not often
always
usually
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Function: adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often or frequently we do something.
I always read before bed.
I usually read before bed.
I often read before bed.
I sometimes read before bed.
I don’t often read before bed.
I don’t usually read before bed.
I never read before bed.
Adverbs of frequency are very common in the present simple.
The adverbs not often and not usually are negative, so we must use the auxiliary verb don’t or doesn’t.
Adverbs of frequency: how do we use them?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

She is late.
1
2
3
Adverbs of frequency: word order
Now we know when to use adverbs of frequency, but how do we use them?
He arrives late.
4
1
3
2
4
Look at this example. Where in the sentence (position 1, 2, 3, or 4) do we put the adverb of frequency?
always
Position 3
How about with this example? Which position now?
Position 2
always
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2

Adverbs of frequency: word order
Usually and sometimes can also go at the beginning of the sentence, e.g. ‘Sometimes I arrive late.’
1. After the verb to be.
e.g. She is always late.
Tim is never on time.
2. Before any other verbs.
e.g. He always arrives early.
Mary sometimes travels for work.
Let’s practise!
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition A2