When do I add -s to the verb in the present simple?

Add -s only with he, she, it, and singular nouns: she plays, the shop opens. With I, you, we and they, use the base form with no -s: I play, they open. The subject always decides whether -s is needed.

What is the difference between don't and doesn't?

Use don't with I, you, we and they: I don't like coffee. Use doesn't with he, she and it: she doesn't like coffee. After doesn't, the verb loses its own -s and returns to the plain base form again, with no exceptions.

Why is does she likes tennis wrong?

Because does already shows the third person, so the main verb must always stay in its base form: does she like tennis, not does she likes tennis. Adding -s twice like this is a very common mistake at this level.

Which subjects add -s to the verb?

Only he, she, it and singular nouns add -s. I, you, we and they always use the base form of the verb, with no -s.

Do I use don't or doesn't with he, she and it?

Always doesn't. Don't is only for I, you, we and they. Doesn't is only for he, she and it.

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Present Simple – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

Exercises:

Choose the correct present simple form to complete each sentence.

Example

(e.g., She ___ tennis every weekend. → plays)

✅ Correct	❌ Wrong
She plays tennis.	She play tennis.

Question 1 of 10

She ___ tennis every weekend.

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Articles: A, An, The or No Article

Basic Word Order

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▸Answer key

Practice Questions & Answers

All A1 questions for “Present Simple – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Present Simple: Choosing the Right Form

1. She ___ tennis every weekend.
- A. plays ✓
- B. play
- C. playing
- D. played
Answer: plays
She is he/she/it, so the verb needs -s: plays.
2. My brother ___ in a bank.
- A. work
- B. works ✓
- C. working
- D. worked
Answer: works
Brother is he, so the verb needs -s: works.
I ___ coffee every morning.

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Present Simple Mistakes to Notice

1. Which option does not belong?
- A. She plays tennis every weekend.
- B. He works in a bank.
- C. They play football on Sundays.
- D. My sister play the piano well. ✓
Answer: My sister play the piano well.
Sister is she, so the verb needs -s: plays.
2. Which option does not belong?
- A. My brother work at a hospital. ✓
- B. I drink coffee every morning.
- C. We live in a small flat.
- D. You work very hard.
Answer: My brother work at a hospital.
Brother is he, so the verb needs -s: works.
3. Which option does not belong?
- A. The shop opens at nine.
- B. The train leave at six. ✓
- C. The bus arrives on time.
- D. The plane departs soon.
Answer: The train leave at six.
Train is it, so the verb needs -s: leaves.
4. Which option does not belong?
- A. I like chocolate a lot.
- B. We like the same food.
- C. You likes chocolate too. ✓
- D. They like it as well.
Answer: You likes chocolate too.
You never takes -s on the verb: like, not likes.
5. Which option does not belong?
- A. He doesn't like spicy food.
- B. It doesn't taste very good.
- C. My dad doesn't drink coffee.
- D. She don't eat meat. ✓
Answer: She don't eat meat.
She needs doesn't, never don't.
6. Which option does not belong?
- A. You doesn't understand it either. ✓
- B. We don't have any milk.
- C. They don't want to go.
- D. I don't understand this.
Answer: You doesn't understand it either.
You needs don't, never doesn't.
7. Which option does not belong?
- A. Does she speak French?
- B. Does they live here? ✓
- C. Do you like tea?
- D. Do we need tickets?
Answer: Does they live here?
They needs Do, never Does.
8. Which option does not belong?
- A. Do your parents live nearby?
- B. Does your father work here?
- C. Do he play football? ✓
- D. Does your sister study English?
Answer: Do he play football?
He needs Does, never Do.
9. Which option does not belong?
- A. Does she like tennis?
- B. Do they enjoy swimming?
- C. Does it taste sweet?
- D. Does he plays the guitar? ✓
Answer: Does he plays the guitar?
After does, the verb loses its own -s: play, not plays.
10. Which option does not belong?
- A. My aunt cook every night. ✓
- B. My mother teaches maths.
- C. My father drives a taxi.
- D. My uncle travels for work.
Answer: My aunt cook every night.
Aunt is she, so the verb needs -s: cooks.

Present Simple – A1 Grammar Exercises (with Answers)

Present Simple – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

She ___ tennis every weekend.

Keep practising

Adjectives: Word Order and Basic Rules

Adverbs of Manner: Quickly, Well, Carefully

Articles: A, An, The or No Article

Basic Word Order

Practice Questions & Answers

Present Simple: Choosing the Right Form

More A1 English Practice

A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot (A1 Reading)

A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot: A1 Reading Practice

Present Simple in a Story: A Day at the Bakery

Present Simple Mistakes to Notice

Present Simple in Conversation: Talking About Daily Routines

Present Simple: Fixing and Changing Sentences

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