Summary
In-depth Explanation
How to Form the Present Simple Tense
Here is how to form positive statements in the present simple for most subjects (I, you, we, they):
[Subject] + [base form of verb]
For example:
I eat breakfast at 7 a.m.
The verb changes slightly in the third-person singular (he, she, it):
[Subject] + [verb] + -s/-es
For example:
She eats breakfast at 7 a.m.
When forming the present simple for third-person singular subjects, follow these rules:
For most verbs, add -s.
He reads a book.
For verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, or -z, add -es.
She watches TV.
For verbs ending in a consonant + -y, change the -y to -ies.
He tries hard.
Negatives in the Present Simple
For most subjects (I, you, we, they), use “do not” or the contracted form, “don’t“:
[Subject] + do not / don’t + [base form of verb]
For example: They don’t play soccer.
For the third-person singular (he, she, it), use “does not” or the contracted form, “doesn’t“:
[Subject] + does not / doesn’t + [base form of verb]
For example: He doesn’t play soccer.
Questions in the Present Simple
For most subjects (I, you, we, they), use the auxiliary verb “do“:
Do + [subject] + [base form of verb]?
For example: Do you like ice cream?
For the third-person singular (he, she, it), use the auxiliary verb “does“:
Does + [subject] + [base form of verb]?
For example: Does she like ice cream?
The Verb “To Be” in the Present Simple
The verb “to be” behaves differently from other verbs because it does not need auxiliary verbs (do/does) in negative sentences or questions. Its forms in the present simple are:
Affirmative | Negative | Questions |
I am (I’m) | I am not (I’m not) | Am I…? |
You/We/They are (You’re/We’re/They’re) | You/We/They are not (You/We/They aren’t or You’re/We’re/They’re not) | Are you/we/they…? |
He/She/It is (He’s/She’s/It’s) | He/She/It is not (He/She/It isn’t or He’s/She’s/It’s not) | Is he/she/it…? |
For example:
I am a teacher. (I’m a teacher.)
She is not at home. (She isn’t at home.)
Are they here?
When to Use the Present Simple Tense
Here are the main usages of the present simple tense.
Habits and routines: We use the present simple to talk about things we do regularly. We often use it with adverbs of frequency like “always,” “usually,” “often,” “sometimes,” “never” and “every day.”
I always go to the gym after work.
She never drinks coffee.
We usually go to bed early.
General facts and universal truths: The present simple is also used to state facts that are generally true or scientific truths.
Water boils at 100°C.
The Earth orbits the sun.
It snows here in the winter.
Scheduled events or timetables: We use the present simple for scheduled events, especially with transportation and timetables.
The train leaves at 8 a.m.
My class starts at 9 o’clock.
The bank doesn’t close until 5 p.m.
Permanent states or conditions: We use the present simple to describe states or conditions that are always true or unlikely to change anytime soon.
He works in an office.
They live in London.
My sister has brown hair.