Impact-e English Training

Lesson Eight Grammar Explanation

The Present Simple:

We use the Present Simple for general facts (things that are true in general) and repeated actions (things that happen sometimes, all the time, every week, etc.). Sometimes we also use it for for timetables, for example when we talk about schedules for trains, buses, etc. Examples:

General fact: Harry works very hard.
Repeated action: Harry goes to work at 7:30 a.m. every day.
Timetable: The first train leaves the station at 5:00 a.m.

Some key or signal words that we often use with the Present Simple are: always, never, sometimes, often, usually, seldom, every day, every week, every year, etc. Always, never, sometimes, often, usually and seldom are often with the verb in the middle of a sentence. They go before most verbs, but after the verb to be and can. With the verb have got they go between the two words. Every day, every week, every year, etc. are usually at the end or the beginning of a sentence.

Harry always works very hard.
Sam is usually at work by 7:30 a.m.
Sally can never work late.
Lisa has seldom got meetings on Fridays.
Jenny has appointments every week.
Every year we go to the annual meeting.

Remember that he, she and it need -s.

"He works.", not "He work."
Spelling: -es after -s, -ch and -sh: dress - dresses, watch - watches, finish - finishes
Spelling: -y changes to -ies: study - studies
Spelling: do - does, go - goes
Exception: The verb to have. have - has
Other exceptions: The verbs to be, to have got and can

Statements	I work	You work	He works	She works	It works	We work	You work	They work
Examples:	I work in a nice office.	You work every day.	He works for a big company.	She works a lot.	It works very well.	We work from 9:00 to 5:00.	You work in Taiwan.	They work for my company.
Statements	I finish	You finish	He finishes	She finishes	It finishes	We finish	You finish	They finish
Examples:	I finish work at 5:30.	You finish work at 6:00.	He finishes work at 4:30.	She finishes work at 7:00.	It finishes on time every day	We finish work at 5:00.	You often finish work early.	They usually finish work late.
Statements	I study	You study	He studies	She studies	It studies	We study	You study	They study
Examples:	I study every day.	You study every week.	He studies English.	She studies French.	It studies ...	We study Spanish.	You study very hard.	They often study together.
Statements	I do	You do	He does	She does	It does	We do	You do	They do
Examples:	I do a lot of work every day.	You do many things at work.	He does different tasks every week.	She does the filing on Fridays.	It does many things very quickly.	We usually do our work very quickly.	You do your telephoning in the mornings.	They do difficult tasks every day.
Statements	I have	You have	He has	She has	It has	We have	You have	They have
Examples:	I have a big office.	You have a good secretary.	He has a new job.	She has lunch every day.	It has many programs.	We always have meetings.	You usually have many appointments.	They have their break at 2:30 every day.

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