When Do We Use the Present Simple?
We use the Present Simple to talk about things that are always true or happen regularly.
- Facts: The sun rises in the east.
- Habits or routines: I drink coffee every morning.
- Schedules: The train leaves at 7 PM.
In this lesson, we focus on using the Present Simple for he, she, and it in positive sentences.
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How Do We Form Positive Sentences with He, She, It?
When the subject is he, she, or it, we add -s to the end of the verb.
- For I, you, we, they, the verb stays the same: I work.
- For he, she, it, we add -s: He works.
This rule is very important for correct grammar.
Spelling Rules for -s Endings
Most verbs just add -s. However, some verbs have special spelling rules when you add -s. Look at the table below to see these rules.
What About the Verb ‘Have’?
The verb have is irregular for he, she, and it. It does not follow the -s rule.
- For I, you, we, they, we use have: I have a cat.
- For he, she, it, we use has: She has a cat.
Remember this special verb!
| Verb Ending | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs | Add -s | work → works live → lives play → plays |
| Consonant + -y | Change -y to -ies | try → tries study → studies |
| Ends in -o, -ch, -ss, -s, -sh, -x | Add -es | teach → teaches go → goes do → does |
| Irregular verb have | Changes to has | have → has |
Examples
- My brother works in a restaurant.
- He lives in a small flat.
- Inez lives in Madrid.
- She studies at university.
- My house has a big door.
- It has small windows.
- He watches TV every evening.
- She goes to the gym on Tuesdays.
Practice
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Chat with an Advisor on WhatsAppCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Forgetting the -s
Spanish verbs change a lot for different subjects. In English, for the Present Simple, only he, she, it add -s. A common mistake for Spanish speakers is to forget this -s.
- Incorrect: She live in Madrid.
- Correct: She lives in Madrid.
Using ‘haves’ instead of ‘has’
Another mistake is trying to add -s to have, making it haves. Remember, have is irregular.
- Incorrect: He haves a car.
- Correct: He has a car.
Frequently asked questions
Why do we add -s to verbs for he, she, it?
We add -s to verbs for he, she, it to show that the subject is singular (one person or thing) and the action happens in the present. It helps make sentences clear and grammatically correct.
Is ‘have’ the only irregular verb in the Present Simple for he, she, it?
For A1 level, have changing to has is the most important irregular verb to remember for he, she, it in positive sentences. Other verbs follow the spelling rules for adding -s or -es.
Does the -s ending change the meaning of the verb?
No, the -s ending does not change the meaning of the verb. It only shows that the subject is he, she, or it in the Present Simple tense.
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