Present Simple
The present simple tense is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It’s simple, straightforward, and essential for expressing habits, routines, facts, and general truths. Whether you’re describing what you do every day, asking a question, or forming a negative sentence, the present simple helps you communicate clearly and effectively.
Below, you’ll find the structure and key verb rules to help you use the present simple tense correctly.
Structure:
- Affirmative: Subject + base verb (add s for he/she/it)
- Example: “He eats an apple.”
- Example: “He eats an apple.”
- Negative: Subject + do/does not + base verb
- Example: “She does not eat meat.”
- Example: “She does not eat meat.”
- Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
- Example: “Does he eat fast food?”
Verb Rules:
- Add -s for third-person singular (he/she/it):
- Example: “She runs.”
- If the verb ends in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o, add -es:
- Example: “He goes.”
- If the verb ends in a consonant + y, change y to i and add -es:
- Example: “She tries.”
By remembering these simple rules and practising with examples, you’ll soon master the present simple tense and use it naturally in everyday conversation.
Test Yourself!
Present Simple: sentence Structure
Complete each sentence by using the correct form of the verb in parentheses (brackets).