Present Simple Theory
Present Simple Theory
Present Simple Theory
The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.
We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.
2. For facts.
3. For habits.
Subject
Verb
I / you / we / they
speak / learn
English at home
he / she / it
speaks / learns
English at home
The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb:
1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the third person.
go goes
catch catches
wash washes
kiss kisses
fix fixes
buzz buzzes
2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.
marry marries
study studies
carry carries
worry worries
play plays
enjoy enjoys
say says
You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they.
When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence.
Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the
negative sentence.
Subject
don't/doesn't
Verb*
I / you / we / they
don't
have / buy
he / she / it
doesn't
It doesn't move.
You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to make it a question. We use Do when the
subject is I, you, we or they.
When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice
that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the
question. We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can, must, might, should
etc.)
Do/Does
Subject
Verb*
Do
I / you / we / they
have / need
Does
he / she / it
a new bike?
want etc.
*Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the verb. Instead of the
infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins with TO. For example: to have, to
eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Examples of Questions with Do and Does:
Short Answer
Short Answer
(Affirmative)
(Negative)
Yes, I do.
No, I don't.
Do I need a pencil?
Yes, we do.
No, we don't.
Yes, he does.
No, he doesn't.
Yes, it does.
No, it doesn't.
Sample Questions
However, if a question word such as who, when, where, why, which or how is used in the question, you can not use
the short answers above to respond to the question.