Present Simple Tense – Daily Routine

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.

• 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.

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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.

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Example Daily Routine:

Lisa is a student at university. Here is her daily routine.

1. I always wake up at 7:00 in the morning.
2. I usually have breakfast at 7:30.
3. I catch the bus to university at 8:00.
4. I usually start studying at 8:30.
5. I always have lunch at noon.
6. I finish university at 4:15 in the afternoon.
7. I sometimes go to the cinema with my friends in the evening.
8. I usually have dinner with my family at about 7:00 in the evening.
9. I never go to bed before 11 o’clock.
10. I often go to bed at midnight.

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Note:

Midday or noon = 12:00 in the day.

Midnight = 12:00 at night.

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It’s your turn! Have a go at writing your daily routine.

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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Confucius