In this English lesson we’ll take a look at how we use the present simple tense when talking about daily routines.
What is your normal daily routine?
Your routine is your normal everyday activities. The things that you usually do on a normal school or work day.
How to write about your simple daily routine:
1. Use the present simple tense.
Forming the present simple tense is simple – use the base form of the verb.
- I play…
- You work…
- They swim…
Remember – if you are using the third person singular (he/she/it) you need to add s to the verb.
Spelling Rules for He/She/It
Most verbs just add -s, but there are a few patterns to remember:
- Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, or -o → add -es
watch → watches, finish → finishes, go → goes - Verbs ending in a consonant + y → change y to -ies
study → studies, try → tries - Verbs ending in a vowel + y → just add -s
play → plays, stay → stays
- He plays…
- She jumps…
- It kicks…
Example sentences with the simple present tense:
- I clean my teeth at 7:00.
- I go to sleep at 11:00.
2. Use adverbs of frequency.
100% —————————> 0%
always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, hardly ever, rarely, never
I always clean my teeth before I go to school.
I sometimes have hot chocolate in the evening.
Note:
Get up and wake up have different meanings.
Wake up – means to open your eyes, to be awake.
Get up – means to stand up, get out of bed.
Negative Sentences and Questions
To make a negative sentence, use don’t (do not) or doesn’t (does not) with the base form of the verb.
- I don’t watch TV in the morning.
- She doesn’t drink coffee.
- They don’t go to the gym on Sundays.
To ask a question, put Do or Does at the start of the sentence.
- Do you go to bed early?
- Does she wake up at 7:00?
- What time do you have lunch?
Remember: with he/she/it, the verb goes back to its base form in negatives and questions — the “s” moves to don’t/doesn’t or do/does.
- ✅ She doesn’t clean her teeth at night. (not “cleans”)
- ✅ Does he play football? (not “plays”)
Example Daily Routine:
Lisa is a student at university. Here is her daily routine.
- I always wake up at 7:00 in the morning.
- I usually have breakfast at 7:30.
- I catch the bus to university at 8:00.
- I usually start studying at 8:30.
- I always have lunch at noon.
- I finish university at 4:15 in the afternoon.
- I sometimes go to the cinema with my friends in the evening.
- I usually have dinner with my family at about 7:00 in the evening.
- I never go to bed before 11 o’clock.
- I often go to bed at midnight.
Note:
Midday or noon = 12:00 in the day.
Midnight = 12:00 at night.
Talking About Time
- in the morning / in the afternoon / in the evening
- at night / at noon / at 7 o’clock
- on Mondays / on weekdays / on the weekend
Example: I usually study in the evening, but on weekends I relax at night.
Read More: Phrasal Verbs For Your Daily Routine
Practice: Fill in the Blanks
- She _______ (not/drink) coffee in the morning.
- _______ you _______ (go) to bed early?
- He _______ (watch) TV every evening.
- They _______ (not/work) on Sundays.
- What time _______ she _______ (wake up)?
Answers: 1. doesn’t drink 2. Do, go 3. watches 4. don’t work 5. does, wake up
It’s your turn! Have a go at writing your daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wake up means to open your eyes and stop sleeping. Get up means to physically leave your bed.
Add -s (or -es) to the base verb: he plays, she watches, it works.
No — use the present continuous (I am eating) for now. Present simple is for routines and habits (I eat lunch at noon every day).
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
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