A1 English GrammarPresent Simple Tense
Master the present simple tense for habits, routines, facts, and general truths. Learn when to add -s/-es to verbs and how to form questions and negatives.
1Forming the Present Simple
The present simple is easy to form. Use the base form of the verb for I, you, we, they. Add -s or -es for he, she, it. This is the only change in English present tense - much simpler than other languages!
Present Simple Conjugation
| Subject | Verb (work) | Verb (go) |
|---|---|---|
| I | work | go |
| you | work | go |
| he/she/it | works | goes |
| we | work | go |
| they | work | go |
Examples
I work in an office.
I work in an office.
base form with I
She works from home.
She works from home.
add -s for she
He goes to the gym every day.
He goes to the gym every day.
add -es after o
They live in Paris.
They live in Paris.
base form with they
2Spelling Rules for Third Person
When adding -s/-es for he/she/it, follow these spelling rules: Most verbs add -s. Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o add -es. Verbs ending in consonant + y change y to -ies.
Third Person Spelling Rules
| Rule | Base Form | He/She/It Form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -s | eat, play, read | eats, plays, reads |
| -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: add -es | miss, wash, watch, fix, go | misses, washes, watches, fixes, goes |
| Consonant + y: change to -ies | study, try, fly | studies, tries, flies |
| Vowel + y: add -s | play, stay, buy | plays, stays, buys |
Examples
She watches TV every evening.
She watches TV every evening.
-ch + es
He studies English at school.
He studies English at school.
y changes to -ies
My dog eats twice a day.
My dog eats twice a day.
regular -s
3When to Use Present Simple
Use the present simple for: habits and routines, permanent situations, general truths and facts, scheduled events, and with frequency adverbs (always, usually, often, sometimes, never).
Examples
I drink coffee every morning.
I drink coffee every morning.
daily habit
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
scientific fact
The train leaves at 9 AM.
The train leaves at 9 AM.
scheduled event
She always arrives on time.
She always arrives on time.
habit with frequency adverb
4Negatives and Questions
For negatives, use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) + base verb. For questions, use Do/Does + subject + base verb. Remember: the main verb returns to base form when using do/does.
Negative and Question Forms
| Type | I/you/we/they | he/she/it |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | do not (don't) work | does not (doesn't) work |
| Question | Do you work? | Does she work? |
Examples
I don't like coffee.
I don't like coffee.
negative with don't
She doesn't eat meat.
She doesn't eat meat.
negative with doesn't
Do you speak English?
Do you speak English?
question with do
Does he live here?
Does he live here?
question with does