Simple Present Forms

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

Negative

Question

I run.

I do not run.

Do I run?

You run.

You do not run.

Do you run?

We run.

We do not run.

Do we run?

They run.

They do not run.

Do they run?

He runs.

He does not run.

Does he run?

She runs.

She does not run.

Does she run?

It runs.

It does not run.

Does it run?

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*.
Positive

Negative

Question

I rush.

I do not rush.

Do I rush?

You rush.

You do not rush.

Do you rush?

We rush.

We do not rush.

Do we rush?

They rush.

They do not rush.

Do they rush?

He rushes. *

He does not rush.

Does he rush?

She rushes. *

She does not rush.

Does she rush?

It rushes. *

It does not rush.

Does it rush?

To Have

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

Negative

Question

I have.

I do not have.

Do I have?

You have.

You do not have.

Do you have?

We have.

We do not have.

Do we have?

They have.

They do not have.

Do they have?

He has. *

He does not have.

Does he have?

She has. *

She does not have.

Does she have?

It has. *

It does not have.

Does it have?

To Be
The verb "be" is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and
negative forms.
Positive

Negative

Question

I am.

I am not.

Am I?

You are.

You are not.

Are you?

We are.

We are not.

Are we?

They are.

They are not.

Are they?

He is.

He is not.

Is he?

She is.

She is not.

Is she?

It is.

It is not.

Is it?

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.

Positive

Negative

Question

I should go.

I should not go.

Should I go?

You should go.

You should not go.

Should you go?

We should go.

We should not go.

Should we go?

They should go.

They should not

go.

Should they go?

He should not go.

Should she go?

He should go.
She should go.
It should go.

She should not go.

It should not go.

Should he go?
Should it go?