A1 · Lesson 4 · 20 min
Present simple for everyday routines
In this lesson
- I can talk about my everyday routine.
- I can use -s, -es, -ies, have and has with he, she and it.
Grammar in context
Maya is a student. She gets up at seven and has breakfast with her brother. Her brother walks to school, but Maya takes the bus. In the evening, Maya studies English and watches a programme with her family.
Which verbs change when the subject is Maya or her brother?
Routines in the present simple
Use the present simple for things you do regularly. With I, you, we and they, use the verb without -s: I work; they play. Words such as every day and after school help show a routine.
- I walk to college every day.
- They cook dinner on Fridays.
He, she and it
With he, she and it, add -s to most verbs: work → works. Add -es in watch → watches, wash → washes and go → goes. After a consonant + y, change y to -ies: study → studies. After a vowel + y, add -s: play → plays.
- Leo watches videos after dinner.
- My sister studies at the library.
Have and has
Use have with I, you, we and they. Use has with he, she and it: I have breakfast at seven. She has breakfast at eight. The same rule works with names: Ben has a bike. Ben and Ella have bikes.
- We have lunch at one.
- Our teacher has a blue bicycle.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
She have coffee at home.
Use
She has coffee at home.
Use has with he, she and it.
Avoid
My friends walks to the station.
Use
My friends walk to the station.
Use the base verb with a plural subject.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.