Camp two · present simple
The bedrock
Before now, before any of this climb, there's the mountain itself. Present simple is the solid ground everything else stands on: facts, habits, things that don't move.
Basecamp briefing
When to use it
General facts and truths
Things that are always true, no matter when you check.
"Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."
Permanent states
Not expected to change any time soon.
"My sister works as a nurse."
Habits and routines
Repeated actions, usually with a frequency word.
"We visit our grandparents every Sunday."
Timetables and schedules
Fixed, official times — even for a future event.
"The train leaves at 6:45 tomorrow morning."
State verbs
Thoughts, feelings, senses and possession rarely take continuous.
"This bag belongs to my colleague."
Instructions and directions
Step-by-step sequences, like a recipe or a route.
"First you crack two eggs, then you whisk them."
Building the tense
How it's built
Affirmative
subject + verb (+s / -es for he / she / it)
"She works in marketing."
Negative
subject + do / does + not + base verb
"They don't live here anymore."
Yes / No questions
Do / Does + subject + base verb?
"Does he speak French?"
Wh- questions
question word + do / does + subject + base verb?
"Where do you work?"
Conjugation chart
Every person, every form — using the verb "to work" as the model.
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I work | I do not work (don't) | Do I work? |
| You | You work | You do not work (don't) | Do you work? |
| He | He works | He does not work (doesn't) | Does he work? |
| She | She works | She does not work (doesn't) | Does she work? |
| It | It works | It does not work (doesn't) | Does it work? |
| We | We work | We do not work (don't) | Do we work? |
| They | They work | They do not work (don't) | Do they work? |
Trail markers
Signal words
Frequency, peak to base
- never (0%)
- rarely, seldom, hardly ever (2-5%)
- sometimes, occasionally (20-40%)
- often, frequently (50%)
- usually, normally, generally (80-95%)
- always (100%)
Time expressions
- every day / every Saturday
- once a week / twice a month
- three times a year
- now and again
- in general / as a rule
Interactive
The frequency slider
Adverb of frequency
sometimes
30 occurrences in 60 opportunities
0%–100%
never0%
hardly ever5%
rarely15%
occasionally30%
sometimes50%
often70%
usually85%
almost always95%
always100%
I sometimes take the bus to work.
She is sometimes at home by six.
We sometimes cook together on Fridays.
Before a main verb: “I often go.” · After be: “She is often late.”
The climb
Practice
Checkpoint 1 of 8
Score: 0