Present Simple
Learn to talk about jobs, exercise habits, family work, and living situations using the present simple in realistic conversations.
In this lesson
- Use the present simple to describe routines, regular activities, jobs, preferences, and everyday facts, and to ask and answer natural questions about daily life.
Four Everyday Conversations
Read each conversation and notice how the speakers use the present simple to talk about jobs, exercise, family, transportation, and living situations.
Listen to the full lesson
Audio voices are AI-generated.
A New Coworker Downtown
- Tony
Hi, I'm Daniel. I don't think we've met before. What do you do?
- Beth
Hi, I'm Emma. I work at a tech company downtown.
- Tony
Oh, really? What do you do there?
- Beth
I design software for small businesses. Our team works in the new office near the station.
- Tony
That sounds interesting. Do you like your job?
- Beth
Yeah, I enjoy it. The work is sometimes difficult, but I learn something new every day.
- Tony
Nice. How do you get to work?
- Beth
I take the bus. It stops right in front of the office, and I don't have a car.
- Tony
Same here! I usually take the number twelve bus.
- Beth
So do I. Maybe we're on the same bus in the morning.
- Tony
Maybe! I'll look for you tomorrow.
Making an Exercise Plan
- Tony
You always look full of energy. Do you belong to a gym?
- Beth
Yes, I go to the gym near my house. It's small, but it has everything I need.
- Tony
What do you usually do there?
- Beth
On Monday and Tuesday, I do yoga after work. The gym also has a pool, so I sometimes swim on weekends.
- Tony
That sounds nice. I do yoga too, but I do it at home. I usually watch videos online.
- Beth
Oh, so you don't belong to a gym?
- Tony
No, I don't really like gyms. For exercise, I jog in the park or play soccer with my friends.
- Beth
That works too. I love running in the park, especially in the morning.
- Tony
Really? I usually jog there on Saturday mornings.
- Beth
I'm free this Saturday. Maybe I can join you.
- Tony
Great! Let's meet near the park entrance at nine.
- Beth
Perfect. I'd like that!
Family Jobs
- Tony
Are you free for dinner tonight?
- Beth
I think so, but my parents may come home late. They both work in sales.
- Tony
Oh, what do they sell?
- Beth
They sell houses. They have a real estate company, so they meet clients and show homes every day.
- Tony
That sounds like a difficult job.
- Beth
It is. They work long hours, especially on weekends, but they really like it.
- Tony
My parents are busy too. They're professors at the university.
- Beth
Really? What do they teach?
- Tony
They both teach business. My father teaches marketing, and my mother teaches management.
- Beth
That's interesting. Maybe they know a lot about running a company.
- Tony
They do. Your parents would probably enjoy talking to them.
- Beth
Definitely. Maybe we can all have dinner together sometime.
Looking for a Roommate
- Tony
You always walk home after class. Where do you live?
- Beth
I live near the river, about ten minutes from here.
- Tony
Oh, I love that area. Do you live in a house or an apartment?
- Beth
I live in a house with my parents. I don't pay rent, so I save money every month.
- Tony
That's a big advantage. Do you like living there?
- Beth
Yes, I do. The neighborhood is quiet, but our house is old and needs some repairs. What about you?
- Tony
I live in a small apartment downtown, near the station.
- Beth
That sounds convenient. Do you live alone?
- Tony
Yes, I do, but the rent is expensive. I want a roommate to share the cost.
- Beth
Really? How much is the rent?
- Tony
It's twelve hundred dollars a month, so each person pays six hundred.
- Beth
That's not bad for downtown. My friend is looking for a place near the station.
- Tony
Really? Maybe you can tell her about the apartment.
- Beth
Sure. I'll send her the details tonight.