Present Simple

Posted by Neil Keefe on September 28, 2009

Handout for October 26, 2009.

In the present simple (something happening all the time, repeatedly, in general), the auxiliary verb is to do. It is used for the negative, and to make questions:

I go to Boston every day.	I don’t go to Boston every day.
They visit the market on weekends.	They don’t visit the market on weekends.
Do you go to Boston every day?	Yes, I do.
Do they visit the market on weekends?	No, they don’t.
They visit the market on weekends. Do you?	No, I don’t.
Does she watch TV in the morning?	No, she doesn’t.

Present Simple with Should:

The auxiliary verb is still to do. It isn’t in the simple case:

I should study every day.	I shouldn’t eat pizza late at night.
They should pay attention.	They shouldn’t drink beer in the park.

To do appears in sentences containing “but”:
.

She should wear a hairnet, but she doesn’t.

She shouldn’t wear sandals at work, but she does.

I should study every day, but I don’t.

I shouldn’t eat pizza late at night, but I do.

They shouldn’t play poker in the break room, but they do.

He shouldn’t sleep in his car, but he does.

They should get to school on time, but they don’t.

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