The present simple tense is used to describe habits, facts, general truths, and routines. It uses the base verb for most subjects, but adds -s or -es for he, she, and it.
Rules
Subject + Base Verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)
Examples:
- I eat breakfast at 7 AM.
- She walks to school.
- They play soccer on weekends.
Usage:
- Habits and routines
- General truths and facts
- Scheduled events (e.g., timetables)
- Instructions and directions
Examples:
- The sun rises in the east.
- The train leaves at 6 PM.
- Turn right at the corner.
Explanations
- For he, she, it, add -s or -es to the base verb (e.g., "watch" → "watches").
- Use do/does for questions and negatives (e.g., "Do you eat?" "She doesn't run").
- For plural subjects and I/you/we, use the base verb without -s.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting -s in he/she/it (e.g., "He go" → "He goes").
- Using -s with I/you/we/they (e.g., "I eats" → "I eat").
- Mixing up do and does (e.g., "Does you like?" → "Do you like?").
- Omitting do/does in questions and negatives (e.g., "You like?" → "Do you like?").
What mistake do people make with I/you/we/they subjects?
Adding -s to the verb
For I, you, we, and they, the verb should be in base form without -s. Adding -s is a mistake.
Conclusion
Present Simple tense describes habits, facts, and routines using the base verb, adding -s/-es for he/she/it, and using do/does for questions and negatives.
Which auxiliary verbs are used in Present Simple questions and negatives?
do and does
'do' and 'does' are the correct auxiliary verbs for Present Simple questions and negatives, not past or future forms.
Next: Present Continuous
Examples
| Subject | Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I | eat | I eat breakfast every day. |
| You | play | You play basketball on weekends. |
| He | walks | He walks to school. |
| She | watches | She watches TV at night. |
| It | flies | It flies in the sky. |
| We | study | We study English together. |
| They | work | They work in an office. |
Usage
Habitual Actions: Things that happen regularly.
- She drinks coffee every morning.
- They go to bed at 10 PM.
Universal Truths: Facts that are always true.
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- The Earth orbits the Sun.
Scheduled Events: Timetables and fixed plans.
- The train leaves at 9 AM.
- School starts at 8 o’clock.
Instructions: Guidelines or rules.
- You turn left at the next street.
- Mix the ingredients well.
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Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
