Present Simple
1. Introduction
The present simple is one of the most common verb tenses in English. We use it to talk about habits, facts, and routines—things that happen regularly or are always true. In this lesson, you will learn how to make positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions with the present simple.
Remember: this lesson focuses on the present simple with main verbs like work, eat, and live. The verb be uses different forms: am / is / are.
2. When do you use the present simple?
You use the present simple to talk about:
2.1 Daily routines
Things you do every day or often.
I brush my teeth every morning.
He goes to school at 8.
2.2 Habits
Things you do again and again.
She drinks coffee every day.
We watch TV in the evening.
2.3 Facts and general truths
Things that are always true.
Ice melts in the sun.
The sun rises in the east.
2.4 Permanent situations
Things that are true for a long time.
I live in London.
She works as a nurse.
2.5 Timetables and schedules
This includes fixed times for transport, classes, or official events.
The bus leaves at 6:30.
The class starts at 9.
3. Positive sentences
To make a positive sentence, use the verb in its base form (the dictionary form: eat, work, live). With he / she / it, add -s or -es to the verb.
3.1 Structure
I / You / We / They + base verb + (object / place / time / ...)
He / She / It + verb (+s/es/ies) + (object / place / time / ...)
The exact ending depends on the verb's spelling — see Section 6 for the full rules.
Let’s use the verb eat as an example.
3.2 Examples
With I / you / we / they:
I eat pizza.
You eat pizza.
We eat pizza.
They eat pizza.
With he / she / it:
He eats pizza.
She eats pizza.
It eats pizza.
4. Negative sentences
To make a negative sentence, we use:
do not / don’t or does not / doesn’t + the base verb
4.1 Structure
I/You/We/They + do not (don't) + base verb
He/She/It + does not (doesn't) + base verb
4.2 Examples
With I / you / we / they:
I do not eat pizza. / I don’t eat pizza.
You do not eat pizza. / You don’t eat pizza.
We do not eat pizza. / We don’t eat pizza.
They do not eat pizza. / They don’t eat pizza.
With he / she / it:
He does not eat pizza. / He doesn’t eat pizza.
She does not eat pizza. / She doesn’t eat pizza.
It does not eat pizza. / It doesn’t eat pizza.
After doesn't, the verb stays in the base form — do NOT add -s.
✗ He doesn't eats pizza.
✓ He doesn't eat pizza.
5. Questions
5.1 Structure
Do + I/You/We/They + base verb + ...?
Does + He/She/It + base verb + ...?
5.2 Examples
With I / you / we / they:
Do I eat pizza?
Do you eat pizza?
Do we eat pizza?
Do they eat pizza?
Do you eat pizza every week?
With he / she / it:
Does he eat pizza?
Does she eat pizza?
Does it eat pizza?
Does she work in a hospital?
Short answers
Do you eat pizza? — Yes, I do.
Does he eat pizza? — No, he doesn’t.
6. Spelling Rules for the 3rd Person Singular
For he / she / it, the verb usually changes. Here are the main spelling rules.
Add -s
Most verbs:
work → works
live → lives
sit → sits
Add -es
Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o
go → goes
watch → watches
fix → fixes
pass → passes
Change -y to -ies
If the verb ends in consonant + y:
study → studies
carry → carries
But:
play → plays (vowel + y)
Two common verbs do not follow the normal rules:
have → has — She has a dog.
do → does — He does his homework every evening.
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Present Simple (Affirmative, Negative, Questions)
A1Present Simple
30 wordsLast updated July 14, 2026