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English (US) • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

present simple

💡 Grammar Rule

Present Simple in English

1. Basic form

The present simple uses the base form of the verb (infinitive without “to”).

  • I / you / we / they: use the base form → work, play, study
  • he / she / it: add -s or -es → works, plays, studies

2. Affirmative forms

2.1. Without -s / -es

  • I work from home.
  • You play soccer.
  • We live in New York.
  • They study English.

2.2. With -s / -es (third person singular)

For he / she / it:

  • Most verbs: add -s → work → works: She works in a hospital.
  • Verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, -o: add -es → watch → watches, go → goes.
  • Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y → ies → study → studies.

2.3. Irregular spelling in the third person

  • have → has: He has a new car.
  • do → does: She does her homework every day.
  • go → goes: It goes very fast.

3. Auxiliary “do / does”

We use do and does as auxiliaries for questions and negatives.

  • do → I, you, we, they
  • does → he, she, it

Important: When we use do/does, the main verb stays in the base form (no -s).

4. Negative forms

4.1. Full (uncontracted) forms

  • I do not work on Sundays.
  • You do not watch TV every day.
  • He does not like coffee.
  • She does not study French.

4.2. Contracted forms (very common)

  • do not → don’t
  • does not → doesn’t
  • I don’t work on Sundays.
  • You don’t watch TV every day.
  • He doesn’t like coffee.
  • She doesn’t study French.

5. Interrogative (question) forms

Structure: Do/Does + subject + base verb + ... ?

  • Do I work here?
  • Do you like pizza?
  • Do we have class today?
  • Do they speak English?
  • Does he live in Boston?
  • Does she play tennis?
  • Does it rain a lot here?

Remember: No -s on the main verb in questions: Does he work (NOT “works”).

6. Negative interrogative forms

Two main options (both correct):

6.1. Full (uncontracted)

  • Do you not like coffee?
  • Does he not live here?

6.2. Contracted (very common)

  • Don’t you like coffee?
  • Doesn’t he live here?
  • Don’t they work on Saturdays?

7. Main uses of the present simple

  • Habits and routines (things you do regularly)
    • I get up at 7 a.m.
    • She goes to the gym on Mondays.
  • General truths and facts
    • Water boils at 100°C.
    • The Earth moves around the sun.
  • Permanent situations / long-term states
    • He lives in Chicago.
    • They work in a bank.
  • Schedules and timetables (especially public transport, events)
    • The train leaves at 8:30.
    • The movie starts at 9 p.m.
  • Commentaries, instructions, and headlines (more advanced use)
    • First, you mix the ingredients.
    • Player hits the ball and scores!
What time do you get up?
I get up at seven every day.
Do you work on weekends?
Yes, I work on Saturday mornings.
Do you speak English?
Yes, I speak a little English.
What does he do after work?
He watches TV at night.
Where does she go on Sundays?
She goes to church with her family.
Where do you usually eat?
We usually eat at home.
Do you live near here?
Yes, we live two blocks away.
Do you work together?
Yes, we work in the same office.
What time do they arrive?
They arrive at eight o'clock.
Does she like to read?
Yes, she likes novels.
Does he study Spanish every day?
Yes, he studies at home after work.
Does it rain a lot here in winter?
Yes, it rains almost every day.
Do you like coffee?
Yes, I do.
Does he like coffee?
No, he doesn't.
I don't work on Sundays.
I rest with my family.
Olivia does not watch TV in the morning.
In the morning, she reads the news on her phone.
They don't live in this city.
They live in a small town.
He does not go to the gym on weekdays.
He only goes on Saturdays.
We don't eat meat.
We eat a lot of fish and vegetables.
My brother does not drive to work.
He takes the bus every day.
Don't you study at night?
No, I study early in the morning.
What time do you arrive?
I arrive tomorrow night, so I don’t arrive on time for the meeting.
You don't play soccer on Mondays.
You play on Wednesdays.
Do you use the car every day?
No, we go to work by train.
My father doesn't like loud music.
He prefers silence.
What does the dog do when it is hungry?
It barks and waits for food.

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