Introduction

In English, we use different verb forms to talk about actions that happen regularly and actions that are happening right now.

The Present Simple describes habits, routines, and facts — things that are true in general.

Example: I go to work by bus.

The Present Continuous describes actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or around now.

Example: I’m taking the bus today because my car is in the garage.

Learning to choose the correct tense helps you talk clearly about your daily life and what is happening at the present time.

🧩 Grammar Overview

⚙️ Form and Structure

✅ Present Simple

🧠 Spelling note:
For he/she/it, add -s, -es, or -ies:

work → works | go → goes | study → studies

✅ Present Continuous

🧠 Spelling note:

• run → running
• make → making
• write → writing

⏰ Time Expressions

💡 Tip:
We use time expressions with the Present Simple for repeated actions, and with the Present Continuous for temporary or current actions.

🗓 I usually work on Mondays.
💬 But this Monday, I’m taking the day off.

💬 Comparing the Two Tenses

✅ Present Simple → permanent, repeated, or regular actions
✅ Present Continuous → temporary or happening now

Let’s Practice

Practice 1

Practice 2

Speaking

Practice 1

Answer the following questions.

Practice 2

Complete the questions.

Answer the questions.

CHALLENGE

Writing

Open the box.

Complete the sentences with your own ideas.

Write your sentences in the comments below.

We use adverbs of frequency and time expressions to talk about how often we do something and when we do it.

🔁 1. Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often we do an activity.

🧩 Common Adverbs:

💡 “Hardly ever” and “rarely” both mean almost never.
They are more polite and softer than “never.”

⚙️ Word Order — Adverbs of Frequency

🟢 Before the main verb

I always eat breakfast.
She usually studies at night.

🟣 After the verb to be

I am never late.
He is rarely tired.

🕰️ 2. Time Expressions

Time expressions tell us when or how often something happens.

💬 Examples:

• every day / every morning / every weekend
• in the morning / in the evening
• on weekends / on Fridays
• once a week / twice a month / three times a year
• at night / at the weekend

📏 Word Order — Time Expressions

There are two main positions for time expressions:

🅰️ At the end of the sentence (most common)

I go shopping on Saturdays.
We study English every morning.
She exercises twice a week.

🅱️ At the beginning of the sentence (for emphasis)

On weekends, I relax and watch movies.
In the morning, I drink coffee and read the news.

🧠 Combine time expressions with adverbs of frequency for natural sentences:

I usually go jogging in the morning.
We hardly ever eat out on weekdays.

🪄 Tip: Don’t put both “adverb of frequency” and “time expression” together at the beginning.
✅ “I usually study English at night.”
🚫 “Usually I study English at night.” (too informal, except in spoken English)

Let’s Practice!

Practice 1

Speaking

Look at the cards.

Complete the questions using the words from the cards starting with How often…?

Discuss the question with your classmates

🧱 Sentence vs Question

✅ Sentences → start with the subject.
❓ Questions → start with an auxiliary or question word.

💡 Why Word Order Is Important

In English, word order helps show if a sentence is a statement or a question.
Changing the order of the words changes the meaning completely:

You like coffee. → ✅ Statement
Do you like coffee? → ❓ Question

So, when we make questions, we usually move the auxiliary verb (do / does / am / is / are) before the subject.

🧩 Basic Question Structure

🔹 With “do/does”

Question word + do/does + subject + main verb

🧠 Remember:

• Do → for I, you, we, they
• Does → for he, she, it
• The main verb does not take -s after “does”:

❌ Does she works? → ✅ Does she work?

🔹 With “be”

If the verb is be, we don’t use do/does.
We just change the order:

🪄 Tip: With “be”, move am/is/are before the subject to make a question.

🗣️ Common Question Words

🪄 Tip: Question words always come at the beginning of the question.

⚙️ Word Order Summary

✅ Yes / No Questions – Verb Be

Structure: Be + Subject + Complement

Are you tired?
Is she a teacher?

Use this form when you want a yes or no answer.

✅ Question Word + Verb Be

Structure: Question Word + Be + Subject + Complement

Where are you from?
How is your family?
Why is he late?

Use a question word when you want more information (not just yes/no).

✅ Yes / No Questions – Other Verbs

Structure: Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb

Do you like coffee?
Does he play tennis?

Use do/does for most verbs (except be).

✅ Question Word + Other Verbs

Structure: Question Word + Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb

Where do you live?
What does she study?
When do they work?

Use a question word when you want more details.

Let’s Practice!

Quiz

Speaking

Practice 1

Practice 2

Create your own questions using the pictures in the cards