English Grammar Lab

← A1

Daily routines and repeated actions

You will be able to Form affirmative sentences in the present simple.

Explanation

Use the base verb with I, you, we and they. Add -s or -es with he, she and it.

Examples

Detailed course

Understand the grammar point

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Detailed explanation

This lesson focuses on daily routines and repeated actions. The structure helps learners share basic information, and it should always be interpreted as part of a complete message rather than as an isolated formula. Before selecting a form, identify the subject, time reference, clause relationship, and the information that receives emphasis.

Formation is central. Use the base verb after I, you, we, and they. Add -s or -es after he, she, it, or a singular noun, with normal spelling changes. Build the sentence in stages: identify the grammatical subject, choose the auxiliary or main verb form, and complete the clause in normal English word order. In negatives and questions, check whether the structure supplies its own auxiliary or requires another one.

The pattern can help users describe a simple situation, form clear statements and questions, and notice subject and verb agreement. These purposes may overlap, so context decides which interpretation is natural. Time expressions, determiners, linking words, and punctuation often provide evidence for the correct choice.

A useful contrast prevents overgeneralisation. The present simple describes routines and facts, while the present continuous describes an action happening now. Ask how the nearest alternative would change time, certainty, focus, politeness, or register. A grammatically possible sentence may still communicate the wrong relationship if that contrast is ignored.

The guided examples are complete messages. Notice how the target structure agrees with its subject and how the surrounding vocabulary makes the intended meaning clear. When producing a new example, preserve the relationship between form and meaning while changing the people, place, and lexical details.

A reliable self-check is to paraphrase the sentence in simpler language. If the paraphrase changes the time relationship, degree of certainty, or focus, review the original form. Compare the sentence with the common mistakes and explain why the corrected version is preferable.

How to form it

Use the base verb after I, you, we, and they. Add -s or -es after he, she, it, or a singular noun, with normal spelling changes.

Use the structure to share basic information.

Use the structure to describe a simple situation.

Use the structure to form clear statements and questions.

Use the structure to notice subject and verb agreement.

The present simple describes routines and facts, while the present continuous describes an action happening now.

Guided examples

I walk to school with my neighbour every morning.

I takes the base verb walk, with no -s ending.

My brother catches the early bus at seven.

Brother is a singular subject like he, so catch adds -es: catches.

We study together in the library on Tuesdays.

We takes the base verb study, without any ending.

Nadia carries a small notebook in her bag.

Nadia is singular, so carry changes y to i and adds -es: carries.

The first lesson begins at half past eight.

Lesson is a singular subject, so begin adds -s: begins.

Our teachers give us short tasks each week.

Teachers is plural, so the base verb give is used without -s.

Common mistakes

Not: I walks to school with my neighbour every morning.

Use: I walk to school with my neighbour every morning.

I never takes the -s ending; only he, she, it and singular nouns do.

Not: My brother catch the early bus at seven.

Use: My brother catches the early bus at seven.

Brother is singular like he, so the verb needs -es: catches.

Not: We studies together in the library on Tuesdays.

Use: We study together in the library on Tuesdays.

We never takes the -s ending; it only applies to he, she, it and singular nouns.

Not: Nadia carry a small notebook in her bag.

Use: Nadia carries a small notebook in her bag.

Nadia is a singular subject, so carry must change to carries.

Before you practise

  • Identify the communicative purpose.
  • Check the subject and required verb or auxiliary.
  • Confirm the time reference and clause order.
  • Compare the sentence with the nearest alternative.
  • Read the complete sentence and verify the meaning.

Reading text

Omar's Study Day

About 143 words

Omar and his family are in their small apartment near the market. They need to keep a calm study routine. The apartment is busy in the evening. Omar studies English after breakfast. Someone points to one desk and an English notebook. His sister reads in the evening. The first answer is short, so everyone can follow it. Their father cooks dinner at seven. One detail is still unclear. They share one desk near the window. They check the materials slowly. Soon the result is clear: the work is finished. The morning feels easier because the small task is finished. Omar and his family look at one desk and an English notebook again before they move on. One helper writes the next step on a small card. The group speaks quietly, and the plan becomes clear. No one hurries, because the small details matter.

Reading comprehension

  1. Who is involved in the reading?

    Show answer

    Omar and his family

  2. Where does the reading take place?

    Show answer

    their small apartment near the market

  3. What task are the people trying to complete?

    Show answer

    keep a calm study routine

  4. What problem makes the task less simple?

    Show answer

    the apartment is busy in the evening

Grammar in the text

  1. Omar studies English after breakfast.

    Omar is singular, so study changes to studies.

  2. His sister reads in the evening.

    Sister is singular, so read adds -s: reads.

  3. Their father cooks dinner at seven.

    Father is singular, so cook adds -s: cooks.

  4. They share one desk near the window.

    They is plural, so share stays in its base form without -s.

Key point

Use this pattern when the meaning needs it in the reading: I/you/we/they + base verb, he/she/it + verb-s. In short, the present simple describes routines and repeated actions. Example: "Omar studies English after breakfast."

Practice

  1. Complete the sentence from the same situation: "Omar studies ____ after breakfast."

    Show answer

    Omar studies English after breakfast.

  2. Complete the sentence from the same situation: "____ sister reads in the evening."

    Show answer

    His sister reads in the evening.

  3. Complete the sentence from the same situation: "____ father cooks dinner at seven."

    Show answer

    Their father cooks dinner at seven.

  4. Complete the sentence from the same situation: "They share ____ desk near the window."

    Show answer

    They share one desk near the window.

Listening practice

Watch a TEDx talk

“How to speak so that people want to listen” — Julian Treasure (TED). Listen for clear, natural English and pick up new vocabulary while you review this grammar point.

Check your understanding

Which of these is one of Julian Treasure's “seven deadly sins of speaking”?

Check your understanding

What does the acronym HAIL stand for in Treasure's four cornerstones of powerful speaking?

Practice

Choose the correct answer. My brother ___ football on Saturdays.

Practice

Choose the correct answer. They ___ English every Monday.

Practice

Choose the correct answer. Anna ___ to school by bus.

Written practice

Produce the answer yourself. Capitalisation and final punctuation do not affect validation, but the grammar and word order must be correct.

Sentence correction

Written practice

Correct the sentence.

She watch television every evening.