08/24/2026
Simple Present Tense — Complete Explanation
The Simple Present Tense is used to talk about habits, routines, facts, repeated actions, and things that are generally true.
1. Basic Structure
✅ Positive sentences
I / You / We / They + base verb
I work every day.
You speak English.
We study English.
They play football.
He / She / It + verb + s/es
He works every day.
She speaks English.
It looks beautiful.
Important rule:
With he, she, it, usually add -s or -es.
Verb He/She/It
work works
play plays
read reads
go goes
watch watches
wash washes
teach teaches
study studies
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2. Negative Sentences
Use do not (don't) with:
I, you, we, they
I don't work on Friday.
You don't speak French.
We don't watch TV.
They don't play football.
Use does not (doesn't) with:
he, she, it
He doesn't work on Friday.
She doesn't speak French.
He doesn't play football.
⚠️ Important
After doesn't, the main verb returns to its basic form.
❌ He doesn't works.
✅ He doesn't work.
❌ She doesn't goes.
✅ She doesn't go.
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3. Questions
With I / you / we / they:
Do + subject + base verb?
Do you speak English?
Do they work here?
Do we need this?
Do I know you?
With he / she / it:
Does + subject + base verb?
Does he speak English?
Does she work here?
Does it work?
Again, after does, use the base verb.
❌ Does she works here?
✅ Does she work here?
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4. Short Answers
Do questions
Do you speak English?
Yes, I do.
No, I don't.
Do they work here?
Yes, they do.
No, they don't.
Does questions
Does he speak English?
Yes, he does.
No, he doesn't.
Does she work here?
Yes, she does.
No, she doesn't.
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5. When Do We Use Simple Present?
A. Habits and routines
Things you do regularly.
I wake up at 6 a.m.
I go to work every day.
She drinks tea every morning.
He plays football on Fridays.
Common words:
always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day, every week
B. Facts
Things that are generally true.
The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100°C.
Birds fly.
The Earth moves around the Sun.
C. Permanent or general situations
I live in Afghanistan.
She works at a school.
He speaks English.
They own a business.
D. Likes and dislikes
I like English.
She likes coffee.
He doesn't like tea.
They love football.
E. Opinions and feelings
I believe you.
She likes this book.
He knows the answer.
I understand English.
6. Simple Present with “Be”
The verb be is different.
We use:
I → am
He/She/It → is
You/We/They → are
Positive
I am happy.
He is a teacher.
She is beautiful.
We are students.
They are ready.
Negative
I am not tired.
He isn't a teacher.
She isn't busy.
They aren't ready.
Questions
Am I late?
Is he a teacher?
Is she happy?
Are they ready?
⚠️ Don't use do/does with the verb be.
❌ Does he be happy?
✅ Is he happy?
7. Adverbs of Frequency
These tell us how often something happens.
Word Meaning
Always 100%
Usually very often
Often frequently
Sometimes occasionally
Rarely not often
Never 0%
Examples:
I always study English.
She usually wakes up early.
He often plays football.
We sometimes watch movies.
They never smoke.
Position
Usually:
Subject + adverb + main verb
I always go to work.
She usually drinks tea.
But with be:
Subject + be + adverb
He is always happy.
She is usually busy.
They are never late.
8. Spelling Rules for He/She/It
Most verbs → add s
work → works
eat → eats
play → plays
read → reads
Verbs ending in s, sh, ch, x, o → add es
wash → washes
watch → watches
pass → passes
fix → fixes
go → goes
do → does
Consonant + y → change y to ies
study → studies
try → tries
carry → carries
But vowel + y → just add s:
play → plays
enjoy → enjoys
buy → buys
9. Common Mistakes
❌ He go to school.
✅ He goes to school.
❌ She don't like coffee.
✅ She doesn't like coffee.
❌ He doesn't likes tea.
✅ He doesn't like tea.
❌ Does she speaks English?
✅ Does she speak English?
❌ They plays football.
✅ They play football.
❌ I am work every day.
✅ I work every day.
10. Simple Present Formula
Positive
I/You/We/They + V1
> I work.
He/She/It + V1+s/es
> She works.
Negative
I/You/We/They + don't + V1
> They don't work.
He/She/It + doesn't + V1
> He doesn't work.
Question
Do + I/you/we/they + V1?
> Do you work?
Does + he/she/it + V1?
> Does he work?
Be
I + am
He/She/It + is
You/We/They + are
11. A Simple Way to Remember
Think of the S rule:
> He, She, It → S
✅ He works.
✅ She plays.
✅ It looks good.
But when you use does/doesn't, remove the S:
✅ Does he work?
✅ He doesn't work.
Does takes the S, so the main verb doesn't need S.
12. Practice
Fill in the blanks:
1. She ___ English every day. (study)
2. They ___ football on Friday. (play)
3. He ___ to work at 8 a.m. (go)
4. I ___ coffee. (like)
5. She ___ like tea. (not)
6. ___ you speak English? (do)
7. ___ he work here? (do)
8. The sun ___ in the east. (rise)
Answers
1. studies
2. play
3. goes
4. like
5. doesn't
6. Do
7. Does
8. rises
Key idea: Simple Present = habit + routine + fact + general truth + likes/opinions.
