Present Simple: The Complete Guide with Examples
Master the present simple tense in English: how to form it, when to use it, the third-person -s rule, negatives, questions and the mistakes learners make most.
The present simple is the first tense most English learners study — and the one they use most. Native speakers use it for about half of all verb forms in everyday conversation, so getting it right matters.
How to form the present simple
Use the base form of the verb:
- I/you/we/they → work, live, go
- he/she/it → works, lives, goes
The only change is the third-person -s with he, she and it:
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| I, you, we, they | work |
| he, she, it | works |
Spelling rules for the -s ending
- Most verbs: add -s → plays, runs, speaks
- Verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: add -es → watches, goes, fixes
- Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to -ies → studies, carries
- Verbs ending in vowel + y: just add -s → plays, enjoys
When to use the present simple
1. Habits and routines
Things you do regularly, often with words like always, usually, every day, on Mondays:
- She drinks coffee every morning.
- We play football on Saturdays.
2. Facts and general truths
Things that are always or generally true:
- Water boils at 100°C.
- The sun rises in the east.
3. Permanent situations
Long-term states, not temporary ones:
- He works in a hospital.
- They live in Madrid.
4. Schedules and timetables
Fixed future events on a timetable:
- The train leaves at 6:30.
- The meeting starts at nine.
Negatives and questions
Use don’t/doesn’t for negatives and do/does for questions:
| Form | I/you/we/they | he/she/it |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | I like tea | She likes tea |
| Negative | I don’t like tea | She doesn’t like tea |
| Question | Do you like tea? | Does she like tea? |
Important: after does/doesn’t, the main verb goes back to the base form:
- Does she play tennis? (not Does she plays…)
- He doesn’t work here. (not doesn’t works)
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the -s: He work here → He works here.
- Keeping the -s after does: Does she likes it? → Does she like it?
- Using don’t with he/she: He don’t know → He doesn’t know.
- Using present continuous for habits: I am going to work by bus every day → I go to work by bus every day.
Test yourself
Present Simple Quiz
Question 1 of 5She ___ to school by bus.
Key takeaways
- Use the present simple for habits, facts, permanent situations and schedules.
- Remember the third-person -s/-es: he plays, she watches, it goes.
- Negatives and questions need do/does — and the main verb loses its -s.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the present simple tense used for?
- The present simple is used for habits and routines (I drink coffee every morning), general facts (Water boils at 100°C), schedules (The train leaves at 6), and states (She works in a bank).
- When do we add -s or -es in the present simple?
- Add -s to the verb with he, she and it: he plays, she works. Add -es after verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: watches, goes, fixes.
- What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
- Present simple describes habits and permanent situations (I work in London). Present continuous describes actions happening now or temporary situations (I am working from home today).
- Why is 'he don't' wrong?
- With he, she and it, the auxiliary verb must be 'does', so the correct forms are 'he doesn't' and 'Does he...?', never 'he don't' or 'Does he plays?'.