Subject-Verb Agreement: Present Simple

Subject-verb agreement in the present simple

• The present simple tense describes habits, routines, and general truths.
• The verb form changes depending on the subject of the sentence.
• For he, she, and it, verbs typically end in -s or -es.
  • Example: He walks to school every day. She rides her bike. It rains a lot in the summer.
• For I, you, we, and they, the verb keeps its basic form.
  • Example: I like apples. You play games. We study hard. They sleep late.

Use cases for the present simple

• Routine activities:
  • I go to the gym every morning. She walks her dog in the park twice a day.
• General truths and facts:
  • The sun rises in the east. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Permanent situations:
  • My sister works at a hospital. They live in a small house.
• Schedules and timetables:
  • The train leaves at 8:00 am. The meeting starts at 10:00.
• Instructions and instructions:
  • Take your medicine twice a day. Put the plates in the sink.
• Everyday actions:
  • They have lunch at 12. I eat breakfast at 7.

Forming questions using the present simple

• To form a question with the present simple, place the auxiliary verb do or does before the subject of the sentence.
• Use do with I, you, we, and they.
  • Example: Do you like coffee? Do we need to leave?
• Use does with he, she, and it.
  • Example: Does she play the piano? Does it rain often?

Forming negative statements using the present simple

• To negate the simple present tense statement, use one of the auxiliary verbs 'do' or 'does' followed by 'not' (contracted to 'don't' or 'doesn't`)
• For I, you, we, and they use 'do'.
• Example: I do not eat meat. They do not like him.
• For he, she, and it use 'does'.
• Example: *She does not like him. It does not rain often.

Differences between present simple and present continuous

• The present simple describes habitual actions or general truths while the present continuous describes actions happening now and temporary situations.
• Example:
  • I study English. (habitual)
  • I am studying English right now. (temporary action)

This quiz covers the basics of subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense. It includes rules for verb forms changing based on the subject and various use cases such as routines, general truths, and schedules. Test your understanding of this essential aspect of English grammar.