Present Simple
I work, she doesn't like, do you speak…? Learn the rules, then practise.
Show rules
When to use the present simple
- habits and routines: I get up at seven every day.
- facts and permanent states: Water boils at 100°C.
- timetables and schedules: The train leaves at six.
- stative verbs (know, like, want, understand): I know the answer.
Third-person -s (he / she / it)
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| most verbs: add -s | work → works |
| -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -o: add -es | watch → watches, go → goes |
| consonant + y: change to -ies | study → studies, try → tries |
| vowel + y: just add -s | play → plays |
| irregular | have → has |
Negatives: don't / doesn't + base form
✅ They don't work here.
✅ She doesn't work here.
Watch out: after doesn't, the verb has no -s — ❌ She doesn't works → ✅ She doesn't work.
Questions: do / does + base form
✅ Do you live here? Does she live here?
✅ Short answers: Yes, he does. / No, they don't.
Watch out: after does, the verb has no -s — ❌ Does she lives? → ✅ Does she live?
Adverbs of frequency
always, usually, often, sometimes, never — position matters.
- before the main verb: She always works hard.
- after the verb be: She is always late.
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| He don't like coffee. | He doesn't like coffee. |
| She doesn't likes it. | She doesn't like it. |
| Does he plays tennis? | Does he play tennis? |
| She studys law. | She studies law. |
| He always is busy. | He is always busy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use the present simple?
Use the present simple for habits and routines ('I get up at seven'), facts and permanent states ('Water boils at 100°C'), timetables and schedules ('The train leaves at six'), and with stative verbs like know, like, want, and understand.
How do you spell the third-person -s?
Most verbs just add -s (work → works). Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, or -o add -es (watch → watches, go → goes). A consonant followed by -y changes to -ies (study → studies), but a vowel followed by -y just adds -s (play → plays). 'Have' is irregular: have → has.
Why is 'she doesn't likes' wrong?
After 'doesn't' (and 'don't'), the main verb is always in the base form with no -s. The -s is already 'inside' doesn't, so you never add it twice. Say 'she doesn't like', not 'she doesn't likes'. The same rule applies to questions: 'Does she like...?', not 'Does she likes...?'
Where do adverbs of frequency go?
Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, never) go before the main verb: 'She always works hard.' But they go after the verb 'be': 'She is always late.' A common mistake is 'She always is late' — it should be 'She is always late.'