SIMPLE PRESENT - NEGATIVE & INTERROGATIVE
Introduction
In the simple present tense, negative forms and question forms are made using the auxiliary verb DO. This page explains the rules.
1. Forming a negative
Negatives in the simple present are formed by adding don't or doesn't before the simple form of the verb:
In other words, only third person singular subjects (he, she and it) have doesn't — the rest have don't.
| Subject | Auxiliary | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | don't | I don't sing |
| You | don't | You don't sing |
| He | doesn't | He doesn't sing |
| She | doesn't | She doesn't sing |
| It | doesn't | It doesn't sing |
| We | don't | We don't sing |
| They | don't | They don't sing |
In other words, only third person singular subjects (he, she and it) have doesn't — the rest have don't.
2. Forming a yes/no question
Yes/no questions are also created using the auxiliary DO. This time, the auxiliary is placed before the subject. Here are the rules:
| Auxiliary | Subject | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Do | I | Do I sing? |
| Do | you | Do you sing? |
| Does | he | Does he sing? |
| Does | she | Does she sing? |
| Does | it | Does it sing? |
| Do | we | Do we sing? |
| Do | they | Do they sing? |
3. Forming a WH- question
WH- questions (using words such as WHAT, WHEN, or WHERE) are also created by putting the auxiliary DO before the subject. So, you add the WH- word at the beginning; then the auxiliary and the subject. Here are some examples:
| Statement | Yes/no question | WH- question |
|---|---|---|
| I sing | Do I sing? | What do I sing? |
| You fight. | Do you fight? | Why do you fight? |
| He lives | Does he live? | Where does he live? |
Watch the following Power Point Presentation about Simple Present Tense to understand this tense better
THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
And now... As one of my teachers used to tell me 'PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT'... Let's practise!!
Click on the exercises below to practise simple present tense
AND FINALLY, TRY THIS GAME!!
