By Vahid Alaghehband
The present simple is used for routines, habits and things that are generally true: I work from home on Fridays, Water boils at 100 °C. With he, she and it the verb takes -s (she works), and negatives and questions use the auxiliary do/does with the base form: Does she work? She doesn't work.
This guide is part of English grammar by level. The present simple is A1 grammar on the CEFR (A1.2 in the Vozi Grammar catalog). English verbs barely change with the subject; the only ending in the present simple is the -s for he, she and it (except be: am/is/are), which is why it is so easy to forget.
How to form the present simple
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | I/you/we/they + verb. He/she/it + verb-s | I play the guitar. She plays the guitar. |
| Negative | Subject + don't/doesn't + base verb | They don't eat meat. He doesn't eat meat. |
| Question | Do/Does + subject + base verb? | Do you like coffee? Does it rain a lot in Loja? |
| Short answer | Yes, + subject + do/does. No, + subject + don't/doesn't. | Yes, I do. No, she doesn't. |
Spelling of -s: most verbs add -s (works); verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x and -o add -es (watches, goes); consonant + y changes to -ies (study → studies). Have is irregular: she has. The verb to be doesn't use do: Are you tired? She isn't here.
When to use the present simple
Routines and habits
Things you do regularly.
- I get up at six every day.
- My dad cooks on Sundays.
- How often do you go to the gym?
Facts and general truths
Things that are always true or true for a long time.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Ecuador uses the US dollar.
- Cats don't like water.
Timetables and schedules
Transport, classes or events at a fixed time, even in the future.
- The train leaves at 7:15.
- The course starts next Monday.
- What time does the store open?
Likes, opinions and states
With verbs like like, love, want, need, know, understand.
- I love this song.
- She doesn't understand the question.
- We need more time.
Time expressions and key words
Frequency adverbs go before the main verb (I often walk) but after be (I'm often late).
- always
- usually
- often
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
- every day / week
- on Mondays
- once a week
- twice a month
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Correction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✗ She work in a bank. | ✔ She works in a bank. | With he, she and it, the verb takes -s. It is the most common beginner mistake. |
| ✗ He don't like pizza. | ✔ He doesn't like pizza. | With he, she and it, the negative auxiliary is doesn't. |
| ✗ Does she works here? | ✔ Does she work here? | The -s moves to the auxiliary (does); the main verb stays in the base form. |
| ✗ I am work in an office. | ✔ I work in an office. | Don't combine be with another verb in the present simple. |
| ✗ You like coffee? | ✔ Do you like coffee? | Standard questions need do/does; intonation alone sounds very informal. |
| ✗ I always am late. | ✔ I am always late. | With be, the frequency adverb goes after the verb. |
Present simple vs present continuous
| Present simple | Present continuous | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | A routine, habit or general fact | Something happening now or temporary |
| Example | I work in Quito. | I'm working from home this week. |
| Key words | every day, usually, often | now, right now, at the moment, this week |
| Stative verbs | Yes: I know, I want | Usually not: ✗ I'm knowing |
See the full explanation in our present continuous guide.
Short conversation
Two people meet at an event and talk about work.
A: What do you do?
B: I'm a nurse. I work at a clinic in the city center.
A: Do you work at night?
B: Sometimes. I usually work mornings, but on Fridays I work at night.
A: And what does your brother do?
B: He studies engineering. He doesn't work yet.
A: Does he live with you?
B: Yes, he does. He cooks every day, so I'm happy!
10 exercises with answers
Complete with the verb in the present simple. In the last one, fix the mistake.
- My sister ___ (live) in Machala.
- We ___ (not / watch) TV in the morning.
- ___ your father ___ (speak) English?
- The bank ___ (open) at nine.
- He ___ (study) every night.
- I ___ (not / like) spicy food.
- ___ they ___ (play) soccer on weekends?
- She ___ (watch) a series every night.
- Water ___ (boil) at 100 °C.
- Fix the mistake: She don't have a car.
Show answers
- lives
- don't watch
- Does … speak
- opens
- studies
- don't like
- Do … play
- watches
- boils
- She doesn't have a car.
Next step: if you don't know your level, take the English level test (about 15 minutes, with instant results). To keep working on this topic, see Vozi Grammar's English grammar exercises by level.
Frequently asked questions
When do you use the present simple in English?
For routines and habits (I work on Saturdays), general facts (Water boils at 100 °C), timetables (The bus leaves at 8) and likes or states (I like jazz, I need help).
When do you add -s or -es to a verb?
Only with he, she and it. Add -es to verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x and -o (watches, goes), and change consonant + y to -ies (studies).
When do I use do and when do I use does?
Does with he, she and it (Does she work?); do with I, you, we and they (Do you work?). They are only used in questions and negatives, not in affirmative sentences (except for emphasis: I do like it).
What is the difference between the present simple and the present continuous?
The present simple is for routines and facts (I work in Quito); the present continuous is for what is happening now or temporarily (I'm working from home this week).