Simple Present

We use the simple present tense to talk about things that happen regularly, facts that are always true, and schedules.

How to Form the Simple Present

Use the base verb for most subjects. Add -s or -es when the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun.

Subject	Example
I	I walk to school.
You	You walk to school.
We	We walk to school.
They	They walk to school.
He	He walks to school.
She	She walks to school.
It	It walks to school.

Memory trick: If the subject is he, she, or it, the verb needs an -s!

Spelling Rules for He, She, and It

Most verbs simply add -s, but some verbs change spelling.

Rule	Base Verb	He / She / It Form
Most verbs: add -s	work, play, read	works, plays, reads
Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z, -o: add -es	watch, go, fix	watches, goes, fixes
Consonant + -y: change y to i and add -es	study, try, cry	studies, tries, cries
Vowel + -y: add -s	play, enjoy, buy	plays, enjoys, buys

Important: In negative sentences and questions, the main verb does not take -s because does already shows the third-person form.

• She likes coffee.
• She doesn't like coffee.
• Does she like coffee?

When Do We Use the Simple Present?

1. Repeated Actions (Habits and Routines)

• I brush my teeth every morning.
• She goes to the gym three times a week.
• They always eat dinner at 7:00 pm.

2. True Facts

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• The sun rises in the east.
• Cats like to sleep.

3. Schedules

• The bus leaves at 9:00 am.
• School starts at 8:30.
• The movie begins at 7:00 pm.

Time Markers

These words and phrases are common with the simple present:

• every day / week / month / year
• once a week / twice a month
• adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, never

Non-Action Verbs

Some verbs describe states, not actions. These are usually in the simple present.

Type	Verbs	Examples
Be	be	She is happy.
Have	have	He has a dog.
Feelings	love, like, hate	I like pizza.
Thinking	think, know, believe	I know the answer.
Senses	see, hear, taste, smell	This soup tastes good.

Questions with Do and Does

For questions, use do or does + base verb.

Question	Short Answer
Do you like pizza?	Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
Does he play football?	Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.
Do they study English?	Yes, they do. / No, they don't.

Use does with he, she, and it. Use do with I, you, we, and they.

Negative Sentences

Use do not / don't or does not / doesn't before the base verb.

Subject	Negative Form	Example
I / You / We / They	don't + base verb	They don't live here.
He / She / It	doesn't + base verb	She doesn't live here.

Do not write doesn't lives. After doesn't, use the base verb: doesn't live.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Better	Why
She go to school.	She goes to school.	Add -s/-es with he, she, it.
Does he plays soccer?	Does he play soccer?	Use the base verb after does.
I am like pizza.	I like pizza.	Do not use be before ordinary simple-present verbs.
They doesn't study.	They don't study.	Use don't with I, you, we, they.

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Practice

Exercise 1 — Choose the Correct Verb Form

1 / 22

She ___ to school every day.

AgoBgoesCgoing

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Summary

• Use the simple present for habits, routines, facts, and schedules.
• Use the base verb with I, you, we, and they: I walk, They study.
• Add -s or -es with he, she, it, and singular nouns: She walks, The bus leaves.
• In questions, use do/does + base verb: Do you like pizza?, Does he play soccer?
• In negatives, use don't/doesn't + base verb: They don't live here, She doesn't live here.
• Do not add -s to the main verb after does or doesn't.

Keep practicing by describing your daily routines and true facts about the world.