Present simple

The simple prese is used to indicate a habitual action in the present. It is often accompanied by adverbs of time such as always, usually , often, never and so on. The adverbs of time follow the verb “be” and the other modal verbs while with other verbs they are placed between the subject and the verb. See examples below. When an action is taking place now, the present continuous is used. The interrogative and negative forms are made with the auxiliary do/does.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative	Interro-negative
I read	I don’t read	Do I read?	Don’t I read?
You read	You don’t read	Do you read?	Don’t you read?
He, she, it reads	He, she, it doesn’t read	Does he, she, it read?	Doesn’t he, she, it read?
We read	We don’t read	Do we read?	Don’t we read?
You read	You don’t read	Do you read?	Don’t you read?
They read	They don’t read	Do they read?	Don’t they read?

Now, look at the position of the adverbs of time in the following sentences. They follow the auxiliaries or model verbs:

• I’m always happy when I meet her
• It’s always difficult to undertsand her.
• She can always play chess later.

With the other verbs they are put between the subject and the verb:

• We sometimes go to the countryside during springtime.
• I never play basketball at night.

With present perfect forms, they are place between the auxiliary and the past participle.

• She’s always wanted a baby brother.
• Lousie has often written emails to her friends.