The key rule is the third-person singular (-s) ending. When the subject is he, she, or it, you must add -s (or -es) to the verb. In negatives, the auxiliary verb carries the third-person marker — so the main verb stays in its base form.
To form a question in the Present Simple, you move the auxiliary verb (do/does) to the front. Notice that does carries the third-person -s — so the main verb drops its -s. The same spelling rules that apply to affirmatives apply to the -es and -ies forms.
At B1 level it is essential to use the correct tense at the right time. The Present Simple is not for actions happening at this exact moment (that is the Present Continuous). Know the four main uses and their typical signal words.
Adverbs of frequency are almost always used with the Present Simple. Their position follows the mid-position rule: before the main verb, but after the verb to be. Getting this right separates a confident B1 speaker from a beginner.
This is the most common B1 error with the Present Simple. Some verbs describe a state (a feeling, a thought, or a condition) rather than an action. These verbs cannot be used in the continuous (-ing) form — even when the state is happening right now. They always use the Present Simple.
My name is Marco. I am twenty-eight years old, and my hometown is a quiet coastal village in southern Italy. However, my current occupation as a data analyst keeps me anchored in the rainy heart of London. Adapting to the UK has been an intriguing journey. While my nationality is Italian, my daily life feels incredibly international — my colleagues come from twelve different countries, and the acquaintances I have made here represent almost every continent. I spend most of my day staring at screens, so I rarely stay indoors on weekends. Many foreigners constantly complain about the British weather, but I honestly don't mind the drizzle. It provides the perfect excuse to sit in a pub, sip a dark ale, and read. The hardest part of living here isn't the climate — it's the fact that London never stops moving, whereas my village back home practically sleeps for half the year.
1. 🔍 Inference: What does Marco's attitude suggest about his personality?
2. Why does Marco go outdoors at weekends?
3. 🔍 Inference: What does the phrase "London never stops moving" tell us about Marco's life there?
4. What is Marco's genuine attitude towards rain?
Elena is a thirty-two-year-old paediatric nurse. Her marital status is single, but her schedule leaves her absolutely no time to worry about it. She was born in Madrid, but she hasn't lived there for over a decade — London is very much her home now. Her occupation demands an immense amount of patience and physical stamina, and she takes both seriously. A typical Tuesday begins at 5:00 AM. Elena doesn't rely on an alarm clock; her internal clock wakes her up reliably. Before leaving her flat, she always has a strong coffee — a habit she cannot break. She catches the early train to the hospital, arriving well ahead of the rush-hour crowds. Elena loves her job, but she admits that managing the anxiety of worried parents is often more exhausting than treating the sick children themselves. Despite the stress, she never considers changing her career path.
1. 🔍 Inference: What does Elena's morning routine reveal about her character?
2. What does Elena find to be the most tiring part of her job?
3. 🔍 Inference: Why does Elena find managing parents' anxiety more exhausting than treating the children?
4. What can we infer about Elena's long-term career plans?
Hello! Let me introduce myself. I (1) twenty-six years old and my (2) is Bulgarian. I currently (3) in a small flat in the city centre. My surname (4) Petrov, and my (5) is accountant.
My brother (6) live with me — he stays with our parents in our (7). Every morning, I wake up early because I (8) the bus to work. My employer (9) me to be at the office by 8 AM. I am (10) punctual — I rarely arrive late.
The most common error at B1: forgetting the -s in affirmatives, or adding it wrongly in negatives and questions. Every sentence below contains exactly this type of error — or is already correct.
Adverbs of frequency must go in mid-position: before the main verb, but after the verb to be. Bulgarian speakers often place them at the end of the sentence, which sounds unnatural.
State verbs (know, understand, love, need, belong…) cannot take the -ing form. This is one of the most reliable B1 traps — examiners use it every year.