A1BeginnerTenses

Present simple

Talk about habits, routines and facts: I work, she works, do you work?

Not sure A1 is your level? Find out in 8–40 questions, no account needed.

We use the present simple for things that happen again and again, and for things that are always or generally true.

Positive: I work, she works

Use the verb with no ending after I, you, we, they. After he, she, it (or one person or thing, like my brother or the shop) add -s.

Subject	Verb	Example
I, you, we, they	work	I work in a bank.
he, she, it	works	She works in a bank.

My sister works in a hospital.
We live in a small flat.
Incorrect: He work in a hospital.
Correct: He works in a hospital.
After he, she and it, the verb ends in -s.

Spelling: -s, -es or -ies

Most verbs add -s. Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x or -o add -es. Verbs ending in a consonant + y change to -ies. Have becomes has.

Verb ends in	Add	Example
most letters	-s	work → works, play → plays
-s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o	-es	watch → watches, go → goes
consonant + y	-ies	study → studies, fly → flies

My son watches cartoons every evening.
She studies French at night school.
Incorrect: She haves a dog.
Correct: She has a dog.

Negative: don't and doesn't

Use don't (do not) or doesn't (does not) + the verb. After doesn't the verb has no -s.

We don't eat meat.
He doesn't like cold weather.
Incorrect: I not like coffee.
Correct: I don't like coffee.
Use don't or doesn't before the verb, not just not.
Incorrect: She doesn't works on Fridays.
Correct: She doesn't work on Fridays.

Questions and short answers

Put do or does before the subject. The -s goes to does, so the main verb has no ending.

Question	Yes	No
Do you like tea?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Does she live here?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.

Do you speak French? No, I don't.
Where do your parents live?
What time does the lesson start?
Incorrect: Does she works here?
Correct: Does she work here?
Incorrect: You like tea?
Correct: Do you like tea?
A normal question needs do or does at the start.

Habits and routines

Use the present simple for things we do every day, every week or usually.

I get up at seven on weekdays.
She goes to the gym twice a week.
We have dinner at about eight.

Facts and timetables

Use it for things that are always or generally true, and for times of trains, buses, lessons and shops.

Water boils at 100 degrees.
My parents live in a small town.
The bus leaves at half past eight.
The shop doesn't open on Sundays.

Likes, wants and opinions

Verbs like like, love, hate, want, know, think are usually in the present simple, even when we talk about now.

I want a coffee.
Do you know the answer?
I think it's a good idea.

Always, usually, never

Words like always, usually, often, sometimes, never go before the main verb, but after am, is, are.

I usually walk to work.
She always has lunch at one o'clock.
He is always late.
Incorrect: I go always to work by bus.
Correct: I always go to work by bus.
Incorrect: I don't never drink coffee after six.
Correct: I never drink coffee after six.
Never is already negative, so don't add don't.

Practise this rule

Where this rule sits

All A1 rules Tenses: all rules

Syllabus topics on this page

A1BeginnerPresent Simple: affirmative
A1BeginnerPresent Simple: negatives & questions

Read first

Subject pronounsA1Beginner