In this English lesson we’ll take a look at how we use the present simple tense when talking about daily routines.
More Tenses: The Most Comprehensive Guide to English Grammar
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.
I take the bus to school.
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.
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.
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.
It’s your turn! Have a go at writing your daily routine.
I always have lunch at noon.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius