The document explains the use of the simple present tense to describe habits, facts, and customs, providing examples and practice exercises. It includes guidance on forming affirmative and negative statements, with specific attention to the treatment of third person singular forms. Cultural customs from students around the world are shared to illustrate the application of these grammatical rules.

1. The Simple Present:
3 Affirmative and
Negative Statements
Cultural Customs
Focus on Grammar 2
Part III, Unit 8
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. International Pen
Pals
Dear Ali,
I am very happy at the English Language
Institute. Every day, I meet so many interesting
students with different customs. For example, my
classmates from Thailand bow to the teacher. My
roommate, Lia, doesn’t wear shoes inside our
room.
My classmates from Mexico don’t call the teacher
by her first name. This is a great experience!
Your friend,
Kadesh

3. The Simple Present 1
Use the simple present to tell about things that happen
again and again (habits, regular occurrences, customs,
and routines).
Ahmed drinks coffee every afternoon.
Many American children wear
costumes on Halloween.

4. The Simple Present 2
Use the simple present to tell facts.
Peru is in South America.
“I think we
need
sweaters.”
Water freezes at 32° Fahrenheit.

5. The Simple Present 3
Use the simple present with non-action verbs.
Marian and Cara know Arabic.
Roberto likes bullfights.

6. Practice 1 Match each statement to its
use in the simple present.
STATEMENT 2. “He goes
Example:
“They usually dancing
“They usually
celebrate Regular every Friday
celebrate New
New Year’s night.”
Year’s Day with
Occurrence
Day with a
a big party.”
big party.”
Fact
3. “Triangles
have three
1. “They sides.”
believe
everything
Non-Action
she says.”
Verb

7. Affirmative
Statements
Use the base form of the verb for all persons except
third person singular. Put –s or –es on the third
person singular.
Daniel dances in the Chinese New
Year Parade each year.
Ted dresses up like a lion.

8. Use the verbs in the box to
Practice 2 describe what these people do
every day.
make take watch play
Example: He makes pizza.
1. 2. 3.
She plays soccer. He watches soccer. They take a bath.

9. Negative Statements 1
Use does not or do not before the base form
of the verb.
She does not takes off her shoes.
take
enjoy
Some people do not enjoys sushi.

10. Negative Statements
2
Use the contractions doesn’t and don’t for negative
statements in speaking or in informal writing.
Italians don’t use chopsticks.
Luis doesn’t like bullfights.

11. Change the affirmative
Practice 3 statements to negative
statements.
Example: Many Chinese eat noodles.
Many Chinese don’t eat noodles.
1. Sheila likes to eat spicy food.
Sheila doesn’t like to eat spicy food.
2. Some nomadic people live in tents.
Some nomadic people don’t live in tents.
3. Monica watches fireworks on the 4th of July.
Monica doesn’t watch fireworks on the 4th of July.

12. Irregular Forms
Third person singular affirmative forms of
have, do, and go are not regular.
Subject Have Do Go
I
You
We have do go
They
He
She has does goes
It

13. Complete the sentences with
Practice 4 the correct form of have, do, or
go.
goes
Example: She __________ shopping every Friday.
does
1. Luis __________ his homework every night.
have
2. Leticia and Janet __________ backpacks.
go
3. I always __________ to the movies on Thursdays.
has
4. Shaun __________ a biology class on Mondays.
5. They always __________ the dishes after dinner.
do

14. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.