Present simple: I, you, we and they
Short answer: Use the present simple for habits, likes and facts. With I, you, we and they, use the plain form of the verb with no -s: I like cake, they go to school. Do not add am, is or are before the action word. Say I like cake, not I am like cake.
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At a glance
| Subject | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | I + verb | I walk to school. |
| you | you + verb | You play football. |
| we | we + verb | We eat rice. |
| they | they + verb | They drink milk. |
In short
- With I, you, we and they use the plain action word.
- We use it for habits, likes and facts.
- Do not use am, is or are before the action word here.
What is the rule for “Present simple: I, you, we, they”?
The rule
With I, you, we and they, use the plain action word for habits and likes.
How it looks
I / you / we / they + action word (no -s)
What it means
The present simple tells about things we do again and again, things we like, and facts.
When to use it
Use it for what you do every day and for what you like.
How it works
- Use the plain verb. No ending is added for I, you, we or they.
- Use the present simple for what you do again and again: I brush my teeth every day.
- Use it for likes and facts too: I like apples. Water boils at 100 degrees.
- Add time words to show a habit: every day, on Mondays, often, always, never.
Examples of “Present simple: I, you, we, they”
- I brush my teeth every day.
Every day: a habit. The action word has no -s. - You play football.
you goes with the plain action word. - We eat rice.
we + eat. No -s. - They drink milk.
they + drink. No -s. - I get up at seven.
A daily habit. get has no -s. - You speak English well.
you takes the plain verb. - We live in Hanoi.
A fact about where we live. - They never eat breakfast.
never goes before the verb.
Common mistakes with “Present simple: I, you, we, they”
I likes cake.→ I like cake.
No -s with I.I am like cake.→ I like cake.
Do not put am before an action word such as like.They goes to school.→ They go to school.
They takes the plain action word: go.We goes to the park.→ We go to the park.
we takes the plain verb: go.You likes pizza.→ You like pizza.
Do not add -s with you.
Exceptions: watch out
- have
With I, you, we and they we say have: I have a bike. has is only for he, she and it.
Present simple or present continuous?
Use the present simple for habits and facts. Use the present continuous for what is happening now, at this moment.
| Idea | Present simple | Present continuous |
|---|---|---|
| habit | I read every night. | — |
| now | — | I am reading now. |
| fact | The sun rises in the east. | — |
See also: Present continuous: happening now
Check yourself
- Fill the gap: “They ___ to school.” (go / goes)
Show the answer
go they takes the plain verb.
- Correct this: “I am like cake.”
Show the answer
I like cake. Do not put am before an action word.
- Fill the gap: “We ___ rice.” (eat / eats)
Show the answer
eat we takes the plain verb.
How to practice “Present simple: I, you, we, they”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Present simple: I, you, we, they
Questions
When is the verb different in the present simple?
Only with he, she, it and one name, where the verb usually adds -s: she likes. With I, you, we and they, the verb has no ending.
Does “I am like cake” ever work?
No. Like is an action verb. Use am before a describing word (I am happy), not before an action word.
Is it wrong to say “I do like cake”?
No. It adds emphasis: I do like cake means I really like it.
More Sentence Building rules
- Subject + Verb: A sentence needs someone or something (the subject) and a verb: Birds fly.
- Verbs can have an object: Some verbs can have an object: the person or thing that gets the action.
- Present simple: he, she, it + -s: With he, she, it or one name, the action word usually adds -s.
- Negatives: not with be and can: To say no with am, is, are or can, add not: I am not, she isn't, they aren't, it can't.
- Negatives: don't and doesn't: To say no with an action word, use don't or doesn't and then the plain action word.
- Yes/No questions and short answers: A yes/no question starts with the helper: am, is, are, do, does or can.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G2: Sentence Building. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
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