Present simple

The present simple is the tense you reach for to talk about things that are generally true, or that happen again and again — not just right now, but as a regular pattern: I work in a hospital. The sun rises in the east. She plays tennis on Sundays.

Quick shortcut: for I/you/we/they, use the base verb with no change (I work). For he/she/it — and any singular name or noun — use the he/she/it form, usually the base verb plus -s (she works).

Forming the present simple

Take the verb work as an example:

Notice that only the he/she/it form is different from the base verb. Every other subject pronoun uses the plain base form. (See Subject pronouns if you need a refresher on I, you, he, she, it, we, they.)

This same rule applies to singular names and nouns, since they work exactly like he/she/it — and plural nouns work like they:

• My brother likes football. (one person → like he)
• Anna speaks three languages.
• The shop opens at nine.
• The shops open at nine. (more than one → like they, no -s)

Spelling rules for the -s ending

Adding -s isn't always as simple as it looks — a few common spelling patterns change the ending:

A couple of common -o verbs also add -es: go → goes, do → does.

In this same he/she/it form, have is irregular too: have → has. The verb be is even more special — it doesn't just change for he/she/it, but for every subject: I am, you/we/they are, he/she/it is. See The verb "to be" for the full picture.

• ✅ She watches TV every evening. Not: ❌ She watchs TV every evening.
• ✅ He studies every day. Not: ❌ He studys every day.
• ✅ My dad has a car. Not: ❌ My dad haves a car.

When to use the present simple

The present simple isn't usually for describing an action happening at this exact moment — it's for things that are generally true, repeated, or seen as permanent. It has a few closely related jobs:

• Habits and routines: I get up at seven. We brush our teeth twice a day.
• Facts and general truths: Ice melts in warm water. Cats sleep a lot.
• Permanent situations: She lives in Berlin. He works as a teacher.
• Schedules and timetables: The train leaves at nine. The film starts at eight.

In every case, the focus is on something that's regularly or always true, not something happening right now, in progress, as you speak.

Common time expressions

Certain words often show up with the present simple because they signal repetition or routine: every day, every week, on Mondays, in the morning, usually, often, always, never. These last few — words like always, usually, and never — are called adverbs of frequency, and they have their own placement rules you'll meet as a separate topic.

• I always have coffee in the morning.
• We go swimming every Saturday.

Common mistakes

• ❌ She work in a hospital. → ✅ She works in a hospital. (don't forget the -s with he/she/it)
• ❌ I works from home. → ✅ I work from home. (no -s with I/you/we/they)
• ❌ He watchs a lot of movies. → ✅ He watches a lot of movies. (-ch needs -es, not just -s)
• ❌ She studys English. → ✅ She studies English. (consonant + -y changes to -ies)
• ❌ He have a dog. → ✅ He has a dog. (have is irregular — it becomes has)

Quick check

Which form is correct?

1. She ____ (work / works) in a bank.
2. I ____ (like / likes) chocolate.
3. He ____ (study / studies) every evening.
4. My mother ____ (have / has) two sisters.
5. They ____ (go / goes) to school by bus.

Key takeaways

• Use the base verb with I, you, we, they; use the he/she/it form (usually base + -s) with he, she, it and singular nouns: I work → she works.
• Spelling changes: -s/-ss/-sh/-ch/-x → -es; go/do → -es; consonant + -y → -ies; have → has.
• The present simple describes habits, routines, general facts, permanent situations, and schedules — not just what's happening right now.
• Words like always, usually, often, and never commonly pair with the present simple.
• Negative sentences and questions with the present simple use do/does — you'll meet those as their own topic.