Simple Present Forms

Most Verbs

Most verbs conjugate like the verb “run” below. Notice how you add an “s” to third-person forms. Third-person negative forms and third-person questions are made using “does.”

Instead of “s,” “es” is added to positive, third-person forms of verbs ending with the following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, j or zs (as in Zsa Zsa). These special “es”-forms have been marked below with an asterisk*.

To Have

The verb “have” is irregular in positive, third-person forms. This irregular form has been marked below with an asterisk*.

To Be

The verb “be” is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and negative forms.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs behave differently from other verbs. Notice that they do not take “s” in the third person – there is no difference between first-person, second-person or third-person forms. Like the verb “be” described above, modal verbs also have different question forms and negative forms in Simple Present.