Present Simple with All Verbs
The Present Simple is one of the most common tenses in English. We use it a lot, so it's important to understand it well.
Note: The verb 'be' is different and is covered in a separate lesson. This lesson focuses on all other verbs.
Many learners find the form confusing, especially when it comes to negatives and questions. Let's look at how this tense is built step by step.
How to Form the Present Simple
Positive Sentences
For most verbs, the Present Simple form is straightforward. The base form is used for I, you, we, they. For he, she, it, add -s or -es.
| Subject | Form (play) |
|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | play |
| he / she / it | plays |
| I / you / we / they | work |
| he / she / it | works |
| he / she / it | goes (irregular) |
⚠️ Spelling Rules
When adding -s or -es to verbs for he/she/it, follow these spelling rules:
- Most verbs: add -s
work → works, play → plays, read → reads - Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -z, -o: add -es
watch → watches, wash → washes, kiss → kisses, fix → fixes, buzz → buzzes, go → goes, do → does - Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to i and add -es
study → studies, try → tries, fly → flies, carry → carries - Verbs ending in vowel + y: just add -s
play → plays, enjoy → enjoys, say → says - Irregular verb: have → has
have → has
Examples:
- I play football every weekend.
- She works in London.
- They live in a big house.
- He studies English.
- We love pizza.
Negative Sentences
To make the negative, use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't). The main verb returns to its base form.
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | do not play (don't play) |
| he / she / it | does not play (doesn't play) |
| I / you / we / they | do not work (don't work) |
| he / she / it | does not work (doesn't work) |
| I / you / we / they | do not go (don't go) |
Examples:
- I don't like coffee.
- She doesn't work on Sundays.
- They don't live here.
- He doesn't study French.
- We don't eat meat.
Questions
Use do or does before the subject. The main verb returns to its base form.
| do/does | Subject | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Do | I / you / we / they | play? |
| Does | he / she / it | play? |
| Do | you | work? |
| Does | she | work? |
| Do | they | live here? |
Examples:
- Do you like coffee?
- Does she work in London?
- Do they live near you?
- Does he study English?
- Do we need tickets?
Short Answers
In short answers, we use 'Yes, [subject] + do/does' or 'No, [subject] + don't/doesn't'. We don't repeat the main verb.
- Do you like coffee? — Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
- Does she work here? — Yes, she does. / No, she doesn't.
- Do they live nearby? — Yes, they do. / No, they don't.
Wh- Questions
Add a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) at the beginning of the question.
| Question word | do/does | Subject | Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | do | you | live? |
| What | does | she | do? |
| When | do | they | arrive? |
| Why | does | he | study English? |
| How | do | you | know? |
Examples:
- Where do you live?
- What does she do?
- When do they arrive?
- Why does he study English?
- How do you know that?
When do we use the Present Simple?
Related Lessons
Present Simple with 'be'
Learn how to use the verb 'be' in the Present Simple tense.
How To Use Present Simple
See when we use the present simple.
Present Continuous
Learn how to talk about actions happening now
Present Simple or Present Continuous
Learn the difference between routine actions and actions happening now.