Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and if you want to sound natural and fluent in IELTS Speaking Part 1, mastering the Present Simple tense and adverbs of frequency is essential.
Most Part 1 questions ask about habits, routines, and preferences — things you do regularly. That’s why this tense appears in almost every test.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to use it correctly, avoid common errors, and add variety with frequency words like always, often, and sometimes.
If you want to review the official format of Part 1 questions, check the IELTS Speaking overview on IELTS.org.
In Part 1, examiners want to hear you talk naturally about familiar things: your daily life, hobbies, studies, or work.
The Present Simple is perfect for this, because it describes facts, routines, and habits.
|
Use |
Example |
|
Routine / Habit |
I wake up at seven o’clock every morning. |
|
Fact / General Truth |
I live in London. |
|
Opinion |
I think learning English is enjoyable. |
As the British Council IELTS Speaking guide explains, fluency starts with clarity — and simple tenses help you express ideas smoothly.
Forming the Present Simple
|
Subject |
Verb Form |
Example |
|
I / You / We / They |
base verb |
I work in an office. |
|
He / She / It |
+s / +es |
She works in an office. |
✅ Tip: Don’t forget the –s ending for third-person singular.
❌ He play football every Sunday.
✅ He plays football every Sunday.
This small detail affects your Grammatical Accuracy score, one of the four IELTS Speaking criteria.
Adverbs of frequency tell the examiner how often you do something. They make your speech sound more precise and fluent.
|
Adverb |
Frequency |
Example |
|
always |
100% |
I always drink tea in the morning. |
|
usually |
90% |
I usually go to work by bus. |
|
often |
70% |
I often read before bed. |
|
sometimes |
50% |
I sometimes watch TV after dinner. |
|
rarely / seldom |
20% |
I rarely eat fast food. |
|
never |
0% |
I never smoke. |
💡 Placement Rule: Adverbs of frequency usually come before the main verb but after “be.”
|
Verb Type |
Example |
|
Normal Verb |
I often cook dinner at home. |
|
Verb “to be” |
I am usually busy in the evenings. |
For clear pronunciation, stress the adverb slightly:
“I sometimes go jogging.”
“I never drink coffee.”
You can practise this stress pattern using BBC Learning English’s Speaking & Grammar clips on their official site.
|
Question |
High-Band Answer |
|
What do you do after work? |
I usually go for a walk in the park because it helps me relax. |
|
Do you often eat out? |
Not very often — I prefer cooking at home. It’s healthier and cheaper. |
|
How do you spend your weekends? |
I always spend time with my family. We sometimes go to the cinema or eat out together. |
|
Do you read books? |
Yes, I often read before going to sleep. It’s a habit I’ve had since I was a child. |
Notice how these short, natural answers mix the Present Simple with adverbs of frequency, improving fluency and rhythm.
|
Mistake |
Correction |
|
He go to school every day. |
He goes to school every day. |
|
I am go to work by bus. |
I go to work by bus. |
|
I never am late. |
I am never late. |
|
I am usually go jogging. |
I usually go jogging. |
|
She don’t like coffee. |
She doesn’t like coffee. |
These small slips can lower your Grammar Range & Accuracy score. Remember: examiners don’t need complex grammar — they need correct grammar.
Examiner: How do you usually spend your weekends?
Candidate: I usually meet friends for lunch or go cycling. Sometimes I stay home and watch a film if the weather isn’t great.
Why this works:
This is exactly what a Band 7–8 answer sounds like — short, natural, and grammatically sound.
Add the right adverb to make each sentence sound natural:
(Answers: often / rarely / always / usually / usually)
Connect ideas. Add reasons: I often watch films because they help me relax.
After practising with sample questions, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Why is Present Simple so important for IELTS Speaking?
Because most Part 1 questions are about daily habits or facts — both require the Present Simple.
2️⃣ Can I use other tenses in Part 1?
Yes, occasionally — for example, Present Perfect for experiences (I’ve tried surfing once), but keep most answers in Present Simple.
3️⃣ How many adverbs should I use per answer?
Usually one is enough. Too many sound unnatural.
4️⃣ Do adverbs affect my pronunciation score?
Yes — correct stress and rhythm make your answers clearer.
5️⃣ How can I practise this grammar?
Review sample questions on IDP IELTS Speaking practice and create your own examples daily.
Using the Present Simple with adverbs of frequency helps you sound fluent, accurate, and confident — especially in Part 1.
It’s simple grammar, but examiners love it when it’s used naturally.
Next, continue to Pronunciation Practice for Everyday Topics to improve the rhythm and clarity of your answers.
You can also revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for the complete marking and test structure guide.
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