present simple (I do)

Mike is a bus driver, but now he is in bed asleep. So: He is not driving a bus. (He is asleep.) but He drives a bus. (He is a bus driver.)

Drive(s)/work(s)/do(es) etc. is the present simple.

I/we/you/they	drive/work/do etc.
he/she/it	drives/works/does

We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We are not thinking only about now. We use it to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general. It is not important whether the action is happening at the time of speaking:

• Nurses look after patients in hospitals.
• I usually go away at weekends.
• The moon goes round the earth.

Remember that we say: he/she/it -s. Don't forget the -s.

• I work... but He works...
• They teach... but My wife teaches

We use do/does to make questions and negative sentences:

do I/we/you/they drive? come? do? does he/she/it

I/we/you/they don't drive come do he/she/it doesn't

Note: there are no any final -s after verbs in questions and negative sentences!

• `Would you like a cigarette?'   `No, thanks. I don't smoke.'
• I come from Australia. Where do you come from?

In the following examples do is also the main verb:

• She doesn't do anything to help me.
• What do you do?

1. We use the present simple when we say how often we do things:

• Carry doesn't drink coffee very often.
• How often do you go to the boss?

2. Sometimes we do things by saying something. E.g., when you promise to do something, you can say `I promise...'; when you suggest something, you can say `I suggest...'. We use the present simple in sentences like this:

• `What do you suggest I do?'   `I suggest that you...'
• I promise I won't be late. (not `I'm promising')

In the same way we say: I apologise/ advise/ insist/ agree/ refuse/ ... etc.

QUIZ:

How often Answer do you go (you go) to the cinema?

She Answer doesn't think (not/think) that it is a good idea.

The Sun's rays Answer take (take) eight minutes to reach the Earth.

Courses Answer begin (begin) the fifth of September.

When Answer does he arrive (he arrive) home in the evenings?

They Answer don't live (not/live) in New York, they Answer live (live) in Boston

We usually Answer take (take) the subway to work.

He Answer gets up (get up) early on Saturdays.

I Answer don't belive (not/believe) in ghosts.

The store Answer closes (close) at 9 pm.