Lesson

Present simple - I do/work/like

Present simple affirmative

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Present Simple — I do / work / like

The present simple describes regular actions, routines, facts, and general truths. We use the base form of the verb with I/you/we/they, and we add -s or -es for he/she/it. For negatives and questions, we use the auxiliary do/does + base verb.

  • Use for habits and routines: I work from 9 to 5.
  • Use for facts and general truths: Water boils at 100°C.
  • Use do/does for negatives and questions: She doesn't like coffee. Does he work here?

Table

Present Simple: structures and examples

Structure Form Example
Affirmative (I/You/We/They) subject + base verb I work in finance.
Affirmative (He/She/It) subject + verb + s / es She works in finance.
Negative (I/You/We/They) subject + do not (don't) + base verb We don't attend that meeting.
Negative (He/She/It) subject + does not (doesn't) + base verb He doesn't like the proposal.
Question Do/Does + subject + base verb? Does the team meet on Monday?
Spelling (verbs ending in -y, -ch, -sh, -o, -s, -x) add -es or change -y to -ies She watches the presentation. He studies the report.
Exception: be / have be uses am/is/are; have → has (3rd person) I am ready. She has a laptop.

Tip

Key rule: third person and auxiliaries

Remember two essential points:

  • Add -s or -es to the verb for he/she/it in affirmative sentences (She likes, He watches).
  • Use do/does (not -s) for negatives and questions: He doesn't work. Does he work?

If you use does in a question or negative, always use the base verb (not the -s form).

Example

Examples in context

I work in the sales department.

She works late on Tuesdays.

I like the new project plan.

He doesn't attend the weekly call.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these frequent errors:

  • Forgetting to add -s/-es with he/she/it (She work → She works).
  • Using -s after does/doesn't (Does he works? → Does he work?).
  • Using the present progressive instead of the simple for routines (I am working every day → I work every day).
  • Incorrect word order in questions (He does like it? → Does he like it?).
  • Mixing up be/have with do-auxiliary forms (She don't → She doesn't; Be verbs are different: She is).

Check subject, verb form, and whether you need do/does in questions and negatives.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Check the verb form for 'she'.

Quiz

Complete: I _____ to the office every Monday.

Hint: Think about the verb form for 'I' in a habitual action.

Quiz

Which question is correct?

Hint: Remember the auxiliary form for he/she/it in questions.

Key Points

Vocabulary

work

verb CEFR A2 //wɜːrk//

to perform tasks or a job; to be employed

I work from nine to six.

GrammarPoint

do

auxiliary verb / main verb CEFR A1 //duː//

used as an auxiliary for questions and negatives; as a main verb it means to perform an action

Do you have the report? I do the weekly audit.

Vocabulary

like

verb CEFR A1 //laɪk//

to enjoy or prefer something

I like the new office layout.

GrammarPoint

third person singular

grammar_term CEFR A2 //θɜːrd ˈpɜːrsən ˈsɪŋɡjʊlər//

the grammatical form for he/she/it; verbs usually add -s or -es in the present simple

She answers emails every morning.

Vocabulary

routine

noun CEFR B1 //ruːˈtiːn//

a regular way of doing things; habitual actions

My morning routine includes checking emails.

GrammarPoint

frequency adverb

noun phrase CEFR B1 //ˈfriːkwənsi ˈædvɜːrb//

adverbs that indicate how often an action happens (always, often, sometimes, never)

I often attend client meetings.