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A1 (Beginner)Grammar

Present Simple

Habits and routines: positives with -s, negatives with don't/doesn't, questions with do/does, and frequency words. Core beginner grammar with 20 questions.

The present simple is the tense you’ll use most in English. We use it for things that are generally true, and for habits and routines – things we do regularly. Emma studies every evening; James works in an office; the sun rises in the east.

Positive sentences

For most subjects, we just use the base verb. But for he, she, it, we add -s.

Subject Verb Example
I / you / we / they work (base verb) I work every day.
he / she / it works (add -s) James works in an office.
The golden ruleWith he, she, it, the verb gets an -s. Think: “He, she, it – add an s to it!”

Spelling for he/she/it

Rule Example
Most verbs: add -s read → reads, play → plays
Verbs ending in -o, -sh, -ch, -ss, -x: add -es go → goes, watch → watches, finish → finishes
Consonant + y: change y to -ies study → studies, try → tries
  • Emma studies English every evening.
  • Ms Olivia watches the news in the morning.
  • Thomas goes to school by car.

Negative sentences

For negatives, we use don’t or doesn’t + the base verb.

Subject Negative Example
I / you / we / they don’t + verb They don’t like coffee.
he / she / it doesn’t + verb James doesn’t work on Sunday.
Very important!After doesn’t, the verb has no -s. The “s” moves into “doesn’t”. She doesn’t works. → She doesn’t work.

Questions

For questions, start with Do or Does + subject + base verb.

Subject Question
I / you / we / they Do you study English?
he / she / it Does James work here?

Short answers

  • Do you like tea? – Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
  • Does Emma study English? – Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.

Words we often use with the present simple

These “frequency words” tell us how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, and every day / every week.

  • Emma always does her homework.
  • James sometimes works late.
  • Thomas never drinks coffee.
Tutor tipThe biggest present-simple challenge is remembering the -s with he/she/it. Many languages mark the person in other ways, so this little English “s” is easy to forget. Train your ear: “Emma studies,” “James works,” “it rains.”
Common mistakes

  • She work in a bank. → She works in a bank.
  • He doesn’t works here. → He doesn’t work here.
  • Does she studies English? → Does she study English?

Now practise with the 20 questions below!

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.Complete: "I ___ in an office."
With "I", use the base verb: work.
2.Complete: "James ___ in an office."
With he/she/it, add -s: works.
3.Complete: "Emma ___ English every evening."
Consonant + y → -ies: studies.
4.Complete: "Thomas ___ to school by car."
go + es = goes.
5.Complete: "Ms Olivia ___ the news in the morning."
watch + es = watches.
6.Complete: "They ___ coffee." (negative)
They + don't + base verb: don't like.
7.Complete: "James ___ on Sunday." (negative)
He + doesn't + base verb (no -s): doesn't work.
8.Make a question: "___ you study English?"
With you, use "Do".
9.Make a question: "___ James work here?"
With he, use "Does".
10.Answer: "Do you like tea?" (positive short answer)
"Yes, I do."
11.Answer: "Does Emma study English?" (negative)
"No, she doesn't."
12.Which is correct?
he/she/it adds -s: works.
13.Which is correct?
After doesn't, no -s: doesn't work.
14.Which is correct?
After "Does", use the base verb: study.
15.Complete: "Thomas ___ coffee." (never)
"never" goes before the verb, and he/she/it adds -s: never drinks.
16.Complete: "It often ___ in the evening."
"it" adds -s: rains.
17.Complete: "We ___ to class on Monday."
"we" uses the base verb: go.
18.Complete: "She ___ her homework every day."
do + es = does (he/she/it).
19.Which frequency word means 100% of the time?
"always" = 100% of the time.
20.Complete: "James ___ late." (sometimes)
Frequency word before the verb; he adds -s: sometimes works.

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