Simple Present Tense: Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes

The simple present tense is one of the first things you learn in English — yet it’s also one of the easiest to use incorrectly. In this post, you’ll learn what it is, when to use it, how to form it, and the most common mistakes learners make (with plenty of examples!).

What Is the Simple Present Tense?

The simple present tense describes things that happen regularly, facts that never change, or general truths.
It tells us about actions that are habitual or permanent.

Examples:

• I wake up at 6 a.m. every day.
• She works in a hospital.
• The sun rises in the east.
• Water boils at 100°C.

When Do We Use the Simple Present Tense?

1. Habits and Daily Routines

We use it to talk about what we do regularly.

Examples:

• I go to the gym three times a week.
• He drinks coffee every morning.

2. Facts and General Truths

Things that are always true.

Examples:

• The Earth revolves around the sun.
• Cats hate water.

3. Scheduled Events

We can use it for fixed timetables — especially for transport or official plans.

Examples:

• The train leaves at 7 p.m.
• My class starts at 9:00.

4. Instructions or Directions

When giving step-by-step actions.

Examples:

• First, you mix the flour and sugar.
• Turn right, then go straight ahead.

How to Form the Simple Present Tense

Subject	Verb	Example
I / You / We / They	base form	I play football.
He / She / It	base form + s or es	She plays football.

Rules for adding -s or -es:

• Add -s to most verbs → run → runs, play → plays
• Add -es if the verb ends in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -o → watch → watches, go → goes
• If a verb ends in a consonant + y, change y to i and add -es → study → studies

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

❌ 1. Forgetting the “-s” for He/She/It

Wrong: She like chocolate.
Correct: She likes chocolate.

❌ 2. Using “am/is/are” with verbs unnecessarily

Wrong: He is play football.
Correct: He plays football.

❌ 3. Confusing Simple Present with Present Continuous

Wrong: I am going to school every day.
Correct: I go to school every day.

Short Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb:

1. My brother ___ (read) a lot of books.
2. They ___ (go) to the park on weekends.
3. The store ___ (close) at 9 p.m.
4. She ___ (study) English every evening.
5. I ___ (not like) spicy food.

Final Tips for Mastering the Simple Present Tense

✅ Remember: add -s/-es for he, she, it.
✅ Use don’t/doesn’t for negatives.
✅ Use do/does for questions.

Examples:

• I don’t eat meat.
• Does he work on Sundays?