Present Simple Tense

a. Form: S + V(s/es)
b. Spelling of verbs + "_s/es"
- The normal rule is to add "_s" to the base form of the verb. Ex: wants, eats, helps, drives...
- Add "_es" to verbs that end in "_ss, _sh, _ch, _x, and _o". Ex: kisses, washes, watches, fixes, goes...
- Verbs that end in a consonant + "y" change to "_ies". Ex: carries, flies, tries, worries.... But verbs which end in vowel + "y" only add "_s". Ex: Buys, says, plays, enjoys...
c. Uses:
The present is one of the most common tenses in English. It can refer to the present (now), but it also can refer to all time and regular time. It is used to express:

• To express an action that happens again and again, that is a habit or customary action. Ex: I often get up at 6:00. She goes to school by bus. I wash my hair twice a week.
• To express a fact, which is always true. Ex: the sun rises in the east. The earth revolves around the sun.
• To express a fact, which stays the same for a long time (a state). Ex: I live in Hanoi. She works in a bank. I prefer coffee to tea.
• Present simple for timetables: refers to a future event that is seen as unalterable because it is based on a timetable or calendar. Ex: my flight leaves at 10:00. What time does the film start?

Note: we often use adverbs of frequency with the present simple. Ex: Never, rarely, not often, sometimes, often, usually, always.