Simple Present
SIMPLE PRESENT
The Simple Present is used to describe an action which is regular, real or normal. Regular actions in the present time period. Use this essential English tense for everyday habits, facts, and schedules. Improve your communication with clear examples
AFFIRMATIVE
Subject + Verb + the rest of the sentence
If the subject of the sentence is "He - She - It", you add "S" at the end of the verb. E.g. Speak > Speaks.
If the verb ends in "Ch - Sh - Ss - X - Z - Vowel", you add "Es" to the verb. E.g. Go > Goes.
If the verb ends in "Y", you replace it by "I" + "Es", except for "Play - Enjoy - Say", since before the "Y" a vowel appears. E.g. Study > Studies - Play > Plays.
If the subject of the verb is "I - You - We - They", the verb is written in its infinitive form, that is to say, unchanged.
ExamplesShe drinks coffee every morning.
Tom watches TV at night on Sundays.
They play soccer on Saturdays.
She plays volleyball every day.
The sun rises in the east.
I live in Canada.
I work in an office.
He speaks English very well.
My parents like fish and chips.
NEGATIVE
Subject + Don't - Doesn't + Verb (infinitive) + the rest of the sentence.
I - You - We - They + Do Not= Don't + Infinitive Verb + the rest of the sentence.
If the subject of the sentence is "I - You - We - They", you write "Do Not" or the short form "Don't" before the verb, which is written in its infinitive form, that is to say, without "S" at the end of it.
He - She - It + Does Not= Doesn't + Infinitive Verb + the rest of the sentence.
If the subject of the sentence is "He - She - It", you write "Does Not" or the short form "Doesn't" before the verb, which is written in its infinitive form, that is to say, without "S" at the end of it.
ExamplesShe doesn't drink tea.
He does not know Emily.
They don't play video games.
Tina doesn't study hard.
The cat doesn't like water.
I don't work on Sundays.
I don't like football.
He doesn't speak French.
They do not write clearly.
INTERROGATIVE
Do - Does + Subject + Verb (Infinitive) + the rest of the sentence.
Do + I - You - We - They + Verb (Infinitive) + the rest of the sentence.
In the interrogative form the auxiliary "Do" is written before the subject "I - You - We - They" and the verb without "S" since it is written in its infinitive form.
Does + He - She - It + Verb (Infinitive) + the rest of the sentence.
In the interrogative form the auxiliary "Does" is written before the subject "He - She - It" and the verb without "S" since it is written in its infinitive form.
ExamplesDoes she drink coffee?
Do they play soccer?
Does the sun rise in the west?
Do you work here?
Does he speak Spanish?
Quiz to Practice
This quiz will help you practice forming sentences, asking questions, and understanding when to use the simple present for habits, facts, and daily routines.
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