Present Simple Tense
The present simple is the most frequently used tense in English. It describes habits, facts, schedules, and general truths — things that are regularly or always true.
When to use the present simple
- Habits and routines: She drinks coffee every morning. He walks to work.
- General truths and facts: Water boils at 100°C. The Earth orbits the sun.
- Permanent situations: I live in London. She works at a hospital.
- Scheduled future events: The train leaves at 9 a.m. The film starts at 8.
- Instructions and directions: You turn left at the corner. First you add the eggs.
How to form the present simple
I work. She works. They work.
I don't work. She doesn't work.
Do you work? Does she work?
Third person singular -s: spelling rules
The only form that changes in the present simple is the third person singular (he/she/it), which adds -s or -es.
| Rule | Base form | He/She/It form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -s | work, play, eat | works, plays, eats |
| Ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o: add -es | go, watch, wash, fix | goes, watches, washes, fixes |
| Ends in consonant + y: change to -ies | study, carry, fly | studies, carries, flies |
| Irregular | be, have | is, has |
Full conjugation: the verb "work"
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | work | don't work | Do I work? |
| You | work | don't work | Do you work? |
| He / She / It | works | doesn't work | Does he work? |
| We | work | don't work | Do we work? |
| They | work | don't work | Do they work? |
Signal words (time expressions)
These words and phrases commonly appear with the present simple and help you identify it.
always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
every day / week / morning / year
on Mondays / at weekends / in the morning
twice a week, once a month, three times a year
She always arrives on time.
He doesn't eat meat.
Do they live near here?
The sun rises in the east.
The next bus leaves at half past six.
Common mistake: Never use do/does AND the -s ending together: Does she works? ✗ → Does she work? ✓. When you use does, the main verb stays in its base form.
Tip: The present simple is also used with state verbs (know, believe, love, want) even when the situation is happening right now: I know the answer (not: I am knowing). State verbs do not use continuous forms.