GRAMMAR LESSON
Subject–Verb Agreement for Beginners: Present Simple
UNDERSTAND THE PATTERN
The rule in plain English
In the present simple, use the base form with I/you/we/they and usually -s or -es with he/she/it. Be, have and do have special forms. After does, use the base form of the main verb.
SEE HOW IT WORKS
Examples in context
- She goes to school every day.
- They eat lunch at one.
- Does she go here? — base verb after does
MAKE IT STICK
Put the rule into practice
Try 3 questions. Read the explanation after each answer, then review any mistakes and try again.
Quiz complete
Make it yours
Write one sentence about your life using this grammar.
Check your sentence
In the present simple, use the base form with I/you/we/they and usually -s or -es with he/she/it. Be, have and do have special forms. After does, use the base form of the main verb.
Compare: She goes to school every day.
Check the sentence structure and whether your meaning fits the rule.
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GO DEEPER
Explore the full explanation
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Start with the subject
In the present simple, the verb changes with the subject. With most verbs, I, you, we and they take the base form. He, she and it take a form ending in -s or -es. A singular noun such as the student normally follows the he/she/it pattern.
| Subject | Example |
|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | They work here. |
| He / she / it | She works here. |
| One student | The student studies English. |
| Several students | The students study English. |
Be, have and do
Some common verbs have special forms. Use I am, you/we/they are and he/she/it is. Use she has and they have. Use he does and we do.
Questions and negatives
After does or does not, the main verb stays in its base form: “Does she play?” and “She does not play.” Do not add a second -s to the main verb. Compare “She plays” with “Does she play?”
Correct these sentences
- He eat lunch at noon.
- They likes music.
- Does she works here?
- My brother have a bicycle.
Check the answers
- He eats lunch at noon: third-person singular present simple.
- They like music: they takes the base form.
- Does she work here? After does, use the base form.
- My brother has a bicycle: brother is singular.
Write your own routine
Write three sentences about what you do each morning. Then write three about a friend, using he or she. Underline each subject and circle its verb. Check the verb forms one sentence at a time.
When you can use these patterns comfortably, try intermediate agreement with longer subjects and collective nouns.
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