Usually add -s
work → works · help → helps · save → saves
Grammar Centre · Verb tenses
Present Simple
Learn how to write about habits, facts, states and timetables. Build statements, negatives and questions one step at a time.
Teacher review pending
When do we use the present simple?
- Habits. I take the bus to work every day.
- Facts and general patterns. Good lighting makes streets easier to use at night.
- States. I understand the concern. The council owns the building.
- Timetables. The last train leaves at eleven tonight.
She works from home on Fridays describes her routine. She is working from home today describes a temporary situation.
Build a statement
Find the subject and the . With I, you, we, they and plural , use the base form. With he, she, it and most singular subjects, use the third-person singular form.
Students study at the library. → A student studies at the library.
Add -es after -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x or -z
pass → passes · wash → washes · teach → teaches · fix → fixes
Check the letter before y
Consonant + y: study → studies. Vowel + y: play → plays.
Learn these common forms
have → has · do → does · go → goes
Check the subject in longer sentences. The cost of school meals affects families. Of school meals adds detail to cost. See subject–verb agreement for more examples.
Build negatives and questions
Use do with I, you, we, they and plural subjects. Use does with he, she, it and singular noun subjects. The main verb takes its base form after do or does.
- Statement. The policy helps families.
- Negative. The policy does not help families. In conversation, we often say doesn’t help.
- Yes or no question. Does the policy help families? Yes, it does.
- Question with a question word. How does the policy help families?
When who is the subject of an ordinary question, use Who uses this library? Compare Who does the library serve?, where the library is the subject.
Use am, is and are and check your writing
Use am with I, is with he, she, it and singular nouns, and are with you, we, they and plural nouns.
The bus is reliable. → The bus is not reliable. → Is the bus reliable?
Add not after be for a negative. Move am, is or are before the subject for a question.
In a longer sentence, check each clause separately. Although the buses run regularly, the last service leaves early.
Practise step by step
Work through the levels in order or choose the part you want to revisit. Each level has 10 questions with explanations.
Choose the present simple
The library opens at nine.
Build affirmative sentences
The policy helps families.
Build negatives and questions
Does the policy help families?
Use be and edit mixed sentences
The buses are reliable.
Final Quiz
Try 20 fresh questions on present simple uses, affirmative forms, negatives, questions and be.
Try it in your own writing
Write three sentences about whether your area needs better public transport. Describe a general pattern, give a reason and explain a limitation. For a survey-style response, choose between more frequent buses and longer operating hours, then explain your preference.
Underline each verb and find the subject it goes with. Check singular endings, the base verb after does, and the correct form of be.