Present Simple: Talking About Habits and Facts
The first English tense every beginner needs — how to form it, when to use it, and the one mistake almost everyone makes.
Present simple is usually the first tense you learn in English — and for good reason. You'll use it to talk about routines, facts, and things that are generally true.
How to form it
For most subjects, just use the base verb.
- I work. You work. We work. They work.
For he / she / it, add -s (or -es after certain letters).
- He works. She watches TV. It rains a lot here.
When to use present simple
1. Habits and routines
- I wake up at 7 every day.
- She drinks coffee every morning.
2. Facts that are always true
- Water boils at 100°C.
- The sun rises in the east.
3. Schedules and timetables
- The train leaves at 6 PM.
- The store opens at 9.
Making negatives and questions
This is where most beginners get stuck. English needs a helper verb — do or does — even though it doesn't add any extra meaning.
❌ I no like coffee.
✅ I don't like coffee.
❌ She like pizza?
✅ Does she like pizza?
Remember: with he/she/it, the -s moves onto "does," and the main verb loses its own -s.
- ✅ She works. → ✅ She doesn't work. (not "doesn't works")
- ✅ He plays football. → ✅ Does he play football? (not "Does he plays")
Quick reference
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | I / You / We / They work. He / She / It works. |
| Negative | I don't work. He doesn't work. |
| Question | Do you work? Does he work? |
Try it yourself
The quiz below checks all three parts — forming it, using it correctly, and the do/does rule.