Present Simple Tense

a. When do we use simple present?

1. We use simple present to talk about facts or generalisations 
     e.g. Cats like milk.
            The sun rises every morning.
            Fish live in the sea.
            The earth is round

2.  Repeated actions (habits)
     e.g. I play tennis.
            My mother loves long walks on the beach.
            My class starts at 8 am.

3.  Things that don't/won't change:
     e.g. My father works in court.
            I live in Nottingham.
            I am from Kuwait.
            Julia Roberts is from the United States.


P.S. Use simple present when you describe yourself. Also, use simple present with frequency adverbs and phrases (always, never, everyday, twice a week, ...etc.)

b. Form:

Subject + Verb + Object.

• I + visit + my grandmother every weekend.
• People from Brazil + speak + Portuguese. 
• My building + has + a swimming pool.
• My brother + is + a doctor.

c. Negation:

-sentences with verb to be (am/is/are)

If the verb is am, is or are, add not to the verb

Subject + Verb to be + not + Object

• My sister is not a teacher.
• They are not students.

-sentences with regular verbs 

If the verb is not am, is or are, use do not/does not with the verb

I visit my grandmother every weekend. (verb doesn't have 's', use do not)
I do not visit my grandmother every weekend.

The student attends morning classes. (verb has 's', use: does not)
The student does not attend morning classes. (remove any additions to the verb)

My building has a swimming pool.
My building does not have a swimming pool.

d. Making polar (yes/no) questions:

-sentences with verb to be (am/is/are)

If the verb is am, is or are, start with it

Verb to be + Subject + Object +?
Are + they + students?


-sentences with regular verbs 

If the verb is not am, is or are, use do/does

Do/does + subject + Verb (infinitive) + Object +?

Does + she + play + tennis?

e. Making Wh-questions:

-sentences with verb to be (am/is/are)

If the verb is am, is or are, put it after the wh-word:

Wh-word + am/is/are + subject + ?
Where is he from?

-sentences with regular verbs 

If the verb is not am, is or are, use do/does after wh-word:

Wh-word + do/does + subject + verb(infinitive) + ?

What + does + she + play + ?