10 Fun Exercises For Practicing Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is one of the essential building blocks in learning English grammar. Whether you're a teacher looking to create engaging lesson plans or a student aiming to master the basics, incorporating fun exercises can make the learning process enjoyable! Here, we’ll explore ten exciting activities that will help you practice the simple present tense effectively, with plenty of examples to illustrate each exercise. 🎉

1. Sentence Completion Game

In this exercise, provide students with incomplete sentences and ask them to fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the simple present tense.

Example:

• She ______ (to play) the piano every day.

Students would fill in with "plays."

2. Daily Routines Chart

Create a chart that outlines a typical daily routine. Students can write what they do each day using simple present tense verbs.

3. Find Someone Who...

This interactive exercise encourages speaking. Create a list of activities (e.g., "Find someone who plays a musical instrument"). Students must walk around the room and ask classmates if they do the activities, filling out the list.

Example Questions:

• Do you play a musical instrument?
• Do you eat lunch at school?

4. True or False Statements

Students can write statements about themselves or someone else using the simple present tense. Peers then have to guess if the statements are true or false.

Example:

• I ride a bike to school. (True/False?)

5. Interview a Classmate

Pair up students and give them a list of questions that require answers in the simple present tense.

Example Questions:

• What do you like to do on weekends?
• How often do you visit your grandparents?

6. Role Play Scenarios

Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign them different scenarios (e.g., going to the grocery store, visiting a restaurant). They must act out the scenarios using simple present tense sentences.

Example:

• Customer: “I want to buy some apples.”
• Shopkeeper: “I have fresh apples today.”

7. Scrambled Sentences

Prepare sentences that are scrambled, and ask students to reorder them to form a correct simple present tense sentence.

Example Scramble:

• eats / breakfast / she / every / day.

Correct Sentence: She eats breakfast every day.

8. Simple Present Bingo

Create bingo cards with different simple present tense verbs. Call out sentences, and students have to identify the correct verb on their cards.

Example Call:

• "He drinks coffee every morning."

9. Music and Lyrics

Choose a song that uses the simple present tense. Provide the lyrics (with some parts missing) and let students fill in the blanks as they listen.

10. Picture Descriptions

Show students various images and ask them to describe what is happening in the pictures using the simple present tense.

Example:

• In the picture, the dog runs in the park.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When practicing the simple present tense, here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Forgetting to add an "s" to the verb for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it).
• Confusing the simple present with the present continuous tense.
• Neglecting to use "do" or "does" in negative statements or questions.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter problems during your exercises, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Confusion with Subjects: If students struggle with identifying the subject, use visuals or props to illustrate different subjects clearly.
• Tense Confusion: Reinforce the difference between present, past, and future tenses through activities that highlight time indicators.
• Participation Issues: For shy students, consider pair work or small group settings to build their confidence before speaking in front of the class.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What is the simple present tense?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The simple present tense is used to describe habits, general truths, and routines. It indicates actions that happen regularly or facts that are always true.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>When do I add 's' or 'es' to the verb?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>You add 's' or 'es' to the verb when the subject is a third-person singular (he, she, it). For example, "She plays soccer," but "They play soccer."</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do I form negative sentences in the simple present tense?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>To form a negative sentence, use "do not" (don't) or "does not" (doesn't) before the base verb. For example, "I do not like spinach," or "He does not play football."</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I use the simple present tense for future events?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The simple present tense can be used for scheduled future events, like "The train leaves at 6 PM." However, it's not typically used for other future events.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Practicing the simple present tense doesn't have to be dull! Incorporating fun activities keeps students engaged and promotes effective learning. Remember to encourage practice both in and out of the classroom. Mastery of the simple present will serve as a solid foundation for more complex grammatical structures.

<p class="pro-note">🎉Pro Tip: Practice makes perfect! Engage in conversations using the simple present tense whenever you can.</p>