Present Simple
Used for habits, facts, routines, and general truths
When to Use
- •Habits and routines: I wake up at 7am every day.
- •Facts and general truths: Water boils at 100°C.
- •Permanent situations: She lives in London.
- •Scheduled events: The train leaves at 6pm.
- •Instructions and directions: You turn left at the corner.
How to Form
Subject + verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)
Subject + do/does + not + base verb
Do/Does + subject + base verb?
💡 Third person singular (he/she/it) adds -s or -es to the verb. Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o add -es. Verbs ending in consonant + y change to -ies.
Examples
Talking about someone's job
✓She works in a hospital.
✗She work in a hospital.
Third person singular (she) requires -s on the verb.
Expressing preferences
✓They don't like coffee.
✗They doesn't like coffee.
Use 'don't' with plural subjects (they, we, you) and 'doesn't' with singular (he, she, it).
Asking about abilities
✓Does he speak French?
✗Do he speaks French?
In questions, use 'does' with he/she/it and the base form of the verb (without -s).
Stating a fact
✓The sun rises in the east.
✗The sun rise in the east.
General facts use present simple. 'The sun' is third person singular, so add -s.
Common Mistakes
💡 Practice Tips
- • Remember: he/she/it = add S to the verb
- • Time markers that signal present simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day/week/month
- • Think of it as 'timeless' - facts that are always true
- • For questions and negatives, the auxiliary (do/does) carries the -s, not the main verb