Present Simple —
English Grammar Exercises
Interactive exercises with instant feedback. Master affirmative forms, negatives with don't/doesn't, questions with do/does, and adverbs of frequency.
Present Simple: Quick Reference
Affirmative
- I/you/we/they + base form: I work, They live in London.
- He/she/it + verb with -s: She works, He lives in London.
- Spelling: -es after -o/-ch/-sh/-ss/-x (goes, watches), -ies after consonant + y (studies).
Negative
- I/you/we/they + don't + base form: I don't like coffee.
- He/she/it + doesn't + base form: She doesn't eat meat.
- The main verb has no -s after doesn't: He doesn't work (not doesn't works).
Questions
- Do + I/you/we/they + base form: Do you speak French?
- Does + he/she/it + base form: Does she work here?
- Short answers: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.
- Wh-questions: Where do you live? What does he do?
Adverbs of frequency
- Before main verbs: I always walk to work. She never eats fish.
- After be: He is never late. She is always busy.
- Order: always → usually → often → sometimes → hardly ever → never.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form the present simple?
For most subjects (I, you, we, they), use the base form: 'I work', 'They live'. For he, she, it, add -s or -es: 'He works', 'She watches'. Negatives use don't/doesn't + base form. Questions use Do/Does + base form.
When do you use the present simple?
Use it for habits and routines ('I walk to work every day'), permanent states ('She lives in Berlin'), general facts ('Water boils at 100°C'), likes/dislikes ('He doesn't like spicy food'), and timetables ('The train leaves at 6:15').
What are the spelling rules for third person -s?
Most verbs add -s: works, plays. Verbs ending in -o, -ch, -sh, -ss, -x add -es: goes, watches. Consonant + y changes to -ies: studies, carries. Irregular: have → has, do → does.