Form

Functions and examples

1. We use the present simple to talk about permanent situations.

She doesn't speak English.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

2. We use the present simple to talk about things that happen repeatedly.

I go to school every day.
Jack sometimes plays tennis.

3. We use the present simple to ask for and give instructions.

How do I get to the bathroom?
You go up the stairs and turn right.

4. We use the present simple in narrative (to tell stories).

At the start of the film, a big spaceship comes to Earth and lands in LA. Then the aliens eat all the people.

5. We use the present simple to talk about future scheduled events.

The meeting starts at 10am.
The train leaves at 7.32pm.

6. We use the present simple in certain introductory expressions.

I hear you went on holiday to Spain this summer.
I gather you're leaving the company.

7. We use the present simple to "do" things by using some special verbs (for example: promise, advise, suggest, apologise, insist, agree, swear).

I promise I'll never do it again
I advise you to think carefully before you do that

Important points

Third person singular spelling -- most verbs: add 's'

play - play's'
sleep - sleep's'

Verbs which end in consonant + y: change 'y' to 'ies'.

hurry - hurries
reply - replies

Verbs which end in s, z, ch, sh or x: add 'es'.

push - pushes
watch - watches

Exceptions

do - does
go - goes
have - has

See also: Present continuous / Present perfect