Present Simple

The present simple tense uses the base form of the verb (eg work) and describes regular actions and things that are generally true all the time.

Regular. Repeated Actions

We use the Present Simple to express that an action or event regularly occurs.

• I work in a hospital
• I live in London
• He works in a hospital  Note: With the third person singular (she/he/it), we add an –s or -es

We frequently use adverbs of frequency like always, often, usually, sometimes, and never to indicate regular events in various tenses.

• I never drive to the office
• I always eat breakfast at 8 am

General truths

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• The moon goes around the Earth
• He likes you.

Endings for 3rd person singular

In the present simple tense, most verbs in the third person singular (he, she, it) take an “-s” or “-es”. Here are some common examples:

1. Go → goes
2. Do → does
3. Say → says
4. Make → makes
5. Take → takes
6. Come → comes
7. Know → knows

The verbs BE and HAVE have specific endings depending on the pronoun

BE

• I am
• You are
• He/She/It is
• We are
• You (plural) are
• They are

HAVE

• I have
• You have
• He/She/It has
• We have
• You (plural) have
• They have

For verbs ending in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ies (e.g., cry → cries).

1. Study → studies
2. Fly → flies
3. Try → tries
4. Carry → carries
5. Hurry → hurries
6. Cry → cries
7. Deny → denies
8. Multiply → multiplies
9. Modify → modifies
10. Apply → applies

In these cases, verbs that end in -sh, -ch, or -x typically take an -es ending, while those ending in -o may also take -es or simply add an -s, depending on the specific word.

Verbs Ending in -sh:

1. Finish → finishes
2. Wish → wishes
3. Punish → punishes
4. Establish → establishes
5. Furnish → furnishes

Verbs Ending in -ch:

1. Watch → watches
2. Catch → catches
3. Teach → teaches
4. Match → matches
5. Search → searches

Verbs Ending in -x:

1. Fix → fixes
2. Mix → mixes
3. Flux → fluxes (less common)
4. Annex → annexes
5. Transfix → transfixes

Verbs Ending in -o:

1. Go → goes
2. Do → does
3. Echo → echoes
4. Hero → heroes
5. Video → videos