Fifth Primary Level

Forming the Simple Present Tense

There are only two basic forms for the simple present tense; one
ends with -s and the other doesn't. Here are the rules, using the
example verb "sing":

Subject Verb Form Example

I simple form I sing

You simple form You sing

He simple form + S He sings

She simple form + S She sings

It simple form + S It sings

We simple form We sing

They simple form They sing

In other words, only THIRD PERSON SINGULAR subjects (he, she

and it) have to have a verb with -S.

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-S or -ES?
With most verbs, the third person singular form is created simply by
adding -S. However, with some verbs, you need to add -ES or change
the ending a little. Here are the rules:

Verb How to make the 3rd

Example
ending in... person singular

s Add -ES He passes

z Add -ES She dozes

sh Add -ES She wishes

He
ch Add -ES
watches

consonant + y Change Y to I, then add -ES It flies

[anything else] Add -S He sings

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Negatives and Questions in the Simple

Present Tense

In the simple present tense, negative and question forms are made
using the auxiliary verb "do". This page explains the rules.

Forming a negative
Negatives in the simple present are formed by adding don't or
doesn't before the simple form of the verb:

Subject Auxiliary Example

I don't I don't sing

You don't You don't sing

He doesn't He doesn't sing

She doesn't She doesn't sing

It doesn't It doesn't sing

We don't We don't sing

They don't They don't sing

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In other words, only THIRD PERSON SINGULAR subjects (he, she

and it) have DOESN'T -- the rest have DON'T.

Forming a question
Questions are also created using the auxiliary do. This time, the
auxiliary is placed before the subject. Here are the rules:

Auxiliary Subject Example

do I Do I sing?

do You Do you sing?

does He Does he sing?

does She Does she sing?

does It Does it sing?

do We Do we sing?

do They Do they sing?

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Forming a WH- question

WH- questions (using words such as "what", "when", "where" etc.)
are also created by putting the auxiliary do before the subject. Then,
you add the WH- word at the beginning. Here are some examples:

Statement Question WH- question

I sing Do I sing? What do I sing?

You fight. Do you fight? Why do you fight?

He lives Does he live? Where does he live?

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