Present Simple: Rules, Examples & Practice
Use the present simple for habits, routines, facts, permanent situations, schedules, and feelings or opinions that are generally true now.
By EngFlix team · Updated
I work from home.
A regular situation.
She drinks coffee every morning.
A repeated habit.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
A general fact.
Do they live near the station?
A yes/no question with do.
Quick Form Table
For most verbs, use the base form with I, you, we, and they; add -s or -es with he, she, it, or one singular noun. Be has its own forms: am, is, and are.
| Form | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Positive: I / you / we / they | Subject + base verb |
|
| Positive: he / she / it | Subject + verb + -s / -es |
|
| Negative: most verbs | Subject + do/does + not + base verb |
|
| Question: most verbs | Do/does + subject + base verb? |
|
| Be: positive | I am / you, we, they are / he, she, it is |
|
| Be: negative | Subject + am/is/are + not |
|
| Be: question | Am/is/are + subject? |
|
When To Use Present Simple
These are the most common A1-A2 reasons to choose the present simple.
Habits and routines
Use the present simple for actions that happen regularly, often with words like always, usually, often, sometimes, and every day.
- I check my email in the morning.
- He usually walks to work.
- We watch a series on Friday nights.
Facts and things that are generally true
Use it for facts, rules, and statements that do not depend on one moment.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Ice melts in the sun.
- Cats sleep for many hours.
Permanent or long-term situations
Use it for jobs, homes, studies, relationships, and other stable situations.
- Marta teaches English.
- They live in Warsaw.
- My brother studies computer science.
Schedules and timetables
Use the present simple for fixed future times in timetables, classes, meetings, transport, and events.
- The lesson starts at 7 p.m.
- The train leaves in ten minutes.
- Our meeting finishes at noon.
Feelings, opinions, and states
Many state verbs use the present simple because they describe a state, not an action in progress.
- I like this scene.
- She knows the answer.
- They need more practice.
Present Simple or Present Continuous?
“I work in a café” describes my regular job. “I’m working at home today” describes a temporary situation. Use the simple form for routines and general facts; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary situations.
Compare present continuous uses and state verbsThird-Person -s Rules
The third-person ending is small, but it creates many learner mistakes. Use these patterns for he, she, it, and singular nouns.
Add -s for he, she, and it
For most verbs, add -s after he, she, it, or one singular noun.
- He reads subtitles.
- The video explains the rule.
Add -es after -s, -sh, -ch, and -x
For most verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, or -x, add -es after he, she, or it.
- She watches interviews.
- He washes the dishes.
- She fixes bikes.
- He misses his friends.
Change consonant + y to -ies
When a verb ends in consonant + y, change y to i and add -es.
- He studies at night.
- She tries again.
Keep vowel + y, then add -s
When a verb ends in vowel + y, keep the y and add -s.
- He plays the guitar.
- She enjoys short videos.
Remember have, do, and go
Learn these common third-person forms: have becomes has, do becomes does, and go becomes goes. After does or doesn't, use the base verb again.
- have → has: She has a bike.
- do → does: He does his homework.
- go → goes: She goes to school by bus.
- Does she have a bike?
Questions And Negatives
Most verbs use do or does in questions and negatives. Learn the different patterns for be and subject questions, plus contractions and short answers.
Use do for I, you, we, and they
In questions and negatives, keep the main verb in the base form.
- Do you understand this example?
- They do not need help.
- Where do you live?
Use does for he, she, and it
Does carries the third-person -s, so the main verb stays in the base form.
- Does she work here?
- He does not watch TV.
- Why does it happen?
Use question words before do or does
Put a question word before do/does when asking about an object, place, time, reason, or way. When who or what is the subject, the pattern is different.
- Where do they study?
- What does he mean?
- How often do you practice?
Be does not use do or does
Use am, is, or are for present simple statements with be. Add not for negatives and move am/is/are before the subject for questions.
- She is tired.
- She is not tired.
- Is she tired?
Use contractions in everyday English
Do not becomes don't and does not becomes doesn't. With be, use I'm not, isn't, or aren't. The main verb after don't or doesn't stays in the base form.
- I don't drive.
- He doesn't smoke.
- I'm not late.
- They aren't ready.
Give short answers with do, does, or be
Match the verb in the question: use do/does for most verbs and am/is/are for be. Negative short answers often use contractions; positive short answers keep the full form.
- Do you work here? Yes, I do.
- Does she drive? No, she doesn't.
- Is she ready? Yes, she is.
- Are you tired? No, I'm not.
Subject and object questions with who or what
When who or what asks about the person or thing doing the action, it is the subject: use the verb directly, without do or does, in a neutral positive question. When it asks about the object, another word is the subject: use do or does before that subject.
- Who calls you every day? (Who is the subject: which person makes the call?)
- Who do you call every day? (The subject is you; who asks about the person you call.)
- What happens next? (What is the subject.)
Present Simple Dialogue Examples
Read these short written dialogues to see present simple questions and answers in everyday contexts.
Noah: What do you do after work?
Ava: I watch one short video and write down three new phrases.
Tess: Why does this word sound different?
Max: It has a silent letter.
Ben: When does the live lesson start?
Mia: It starts at six.
Sam: Do you like subtitles?
Lena: Yes, they help me catch fast speech.
Sam: Does Tom study at night?
Lena: No, he doesn't. He studies before breakfast.
Owen: How often do you repeat the scene?
Zoe: Every evening.
Nina: Where does Maya live now?
Noah: She lives near the university.
Mia: What does this line mean?
Owen: I think it means he disagrees.
Common Present Simple Mistakes
Review the wrong sentence first, then compare it with the corrected version.
She work from home.
She works from home.
Add -s to the verb after she.
He does not likes tea.
He does not like tea.
After does not, use the base verb.
Does she works here?
Does she work here?
After does, the main verb stays in the base form.
I am go to school every day.
I go to school every day.
Use present simple for routines; do not add am before go.
They doesn't understand.
They do not understand.
Use do not with they.
My brother watchs films.
My brother watches films.
Verbs ending in -ch take -es after he, she, it, or a singular noun.
She study English online.
She studies English online.
Change consonant + y to -ies after she.
Where you live?
Where do you live?
Use do before the subject in most present simple questions.
Does she be tired?
Is she tired?
With be, move is before the subject; do not use does.
They don't ready.
They aren't ready.
Ready is an adjective. Use are not (aren't) with they.
Does she drive? Yes, she do.
Does she drive? Yes, she does.
Match does in the question with does in the short answer.
Who does live here?
Who lives here?
In a neutral positive question, who is the subject, so use lives without does. Who does live here? is possible for special emphasis.
Mini Practice
Answer 19 quick questions on forms, questions, negatives, spelling, and common uses. Your result stays only on this page.
Choose an answer, then check it.
Review all 19 questions and answers
Choose the correct sentence.
- She works in a hospital.
- She work in a hospital.
- She working in a hospital.
Answer: She works in a hospital.
Use works with she in the present simple.
Complete the sentence: They ___ English every day.
- study
- studies
- studying
Answer: study
Use the base verb with they.
Choose the correct question.
- Does he like this video?
- Does he likes this video?
- Do he like this video?
Answer: Does he like this video?
Use does with he, then keep like in the base form.
Choose the correct negative sentence.
- I do not understand the line.
- I does not understand the line.
- I am not understand the line.
Answer: I do not understand the line.
Use do not with I in the present simple.
Complete the sentence: The class ___ at 9 a.m.
- starts
- start
- starting
Answer: starts
A singular subject takes -s, and schedules use present simple.
Choose the correct spelling.
- She watches TV.
- She watchs TV.
- She watch TV.
Answer: She watches TV.
Watch ends in -ch, so add -es after she.
Complete the question: Where ___ your parents live?
- do
- does
- are
Answer: do
Use do with plural subjects like your parents.
Choose the sentence about a habit.
- I watch a short video every night.
- I am watching a video right now.
- I watched a video yesterday.
Answer: I watch a short video every night.
Present simple can describe a regular habit.
Complete the sentence: He ___ the answer.
- knows
- know
- is knowing
Answer: knows
Know is a state verb and takes -s with he.
Choose the correct sentence.
- We do not need subtitles.
- We does not need subtitles.
- We are not need subtitles.
Answer: We do not need subtitles.
Use do not with we.
Complete the sentence: My sister ___ French.
- studies
- studys
- study
Answer: studies
Study changes to studies after a singular subject.
Choose the best question for frequency.
- How often do you practice?
- How often you practice?
- How often does you practice?
Answer: How often do you practice?
Put how often before do, then use subject + base verb.
Choose the correct question with be.
- Is she tired?
- Does she tired?
- Does she be tired?
Answer: Is she tired?
With be, move is before the subject without adding do or does.
Complete the sentence: They ___ ready.
- aren't
- don't
- doesn't
Answer: aren't
Use are not (aren't) with they when describing a state with an adjective.
Choose the correct contraction.
- He doesn't smoke.
- He don't smoke.
- He doesn't smokes.
Answer: He doesn't smoke.
Does not becomes doesn't; the main verb stays in the base form.
Complete the short answer: Does she drive? Yes, she ___.
- does
- do
- is
Answer: does
Use does in the short answer to a question beginning with does.
Complete the short answer: Are you tired? No, ___.
- I'm not
- I don't
- I isn't
Answer: I'm not
Answer a question with are you using I am or I am not (I'm not).
Ask which person lives here: Who ___ here?
- lives
- do live
- living
Answer: lives
Who is the subject of this positive question, so use lives without do or does.
Choose the answer that tells you how regularly: How often do you practice?
- Every evening.
- At home.
- With my sister.
Answer: Every evening.
Every evening expresses frequency: it tells us how regularly the practice happens.
Learner Questions
Fast answers to common present simple questions.
What is the present simple?
The present simple is a verb form for habits, facts, schedules, stable situations, and general opinions or states.
When do I add -s in the present simple?
Add -s or -es to the verb after he, she, it, or one singular noun in positive sentences.
Do I use do or does in present simple questions?
Use do with I, you, we, and they. Use does with he, she, and it. After do or does, use the base verb.
What is the negative form of present simple?
For most verbs, use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) plus the base verb: I don't know; she doesn't know. With be, add not after am/is/are: She isn't tired.
What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
Present simple describes habits, facts, and stable situations. Present continuous describes actions happening now or temporary situations.
Can present simple talk about the future?
Yes, for fixed schedules and timetables: The train leaves at eight, or The lesson starts tomorrow.
At which level should I learn present simple?
Present simple is usually an A1-A2 grammar point, but higher-level learners also review it to avoid common mistakes.
What should I practice after present simple?
Review do and does questions, be forms, contractions, short answers, subject questions, and third-person -s spelling. Then practice sentences about habits, facts, schedules, and opinions.
Grammar references
For further explanations of these forms and uses, see the British Council’s grammar references.