Present simple · Grade 1

The present simple is for habits, routines and facts: things that happen regularly or are always true. I play football every Saturday. Water boils at 100 °C. With he, she and it (one person or thing), the verb takes -s. Questions and negatives use do or does.

Key facts

  • I, you, we, they: the verb has no ending: They live in Cairo.
  • He, she, it (and one person or thing): add -s: She lives in Cairo.
  • Verbs ending in o, ch, sh, s or x add -es: go → goes, watch → watches. A consonant then y: study → studies. have → has.
  • Negatives: don't or doesn't + the verb with no -s: He doesn't like tea.
  • Questions: Do or Does + subject + verb with no -s: Does she speak English?
  • Time words that often go with it: every day, usually, always, never, on Mondays.

Worked examples

Example 1

Complete: My sister ___ (watch) cartoons after school.

Answer: watches

Example 2

Make it negative: Omar drinks coffee.

Answer: Omar doesn't drink coffee.

Example 3

Put the words in order: you / like / do / apples

Answer: Do you like apples?

Other years