be, do, have and modal verbs in the Simple Present
How to use special verbs in the Simple Present
1. be as a main verb
Pronouns |
Affirmative sentence |
Negative sentence |
Question |
I |
I am from Britain. |
I am not from Britain. |
Am I from Britain? |
you |
You are from Britain. |
You are not from Britain. |
Are you from Britain? |
he, she, it |
He is from Britain. |
He is not from Britain. |
Is he from Britain? |
we, you, they |
They are from Britain. |
They are not from Britain. |
Are they from Britain? |
We often use the short/contracted forms with this verb.
2. do as a main verb
Pronouns |
Affirmative sentence |
Negative sentence |
Question |
I |
I do exercises. |
I do not do exercises. |
Do I do exercises? |
you |
You do exercises. |
You do not do exercises. |
Do you do exercises? |
he, she, it |
He does exercises. |
He does not do exercises. |
Does he do exercises? |
we, you, they |
They do exercises. |
They do not do exercises. |
Do they do exercises? |
3. have as a main verb
Pronouns |
Affirmative sentence |
Negative sentence |
Question |
I |
I have books. |
I do not have books. |
Do I have books? |
you |
You have books. |
You do not have books. |
Do you have books? |
he, she, it |
He has books. |
He does not have books. |
Does he have books? |
we, you, they |
They have books. |
They do not have books. |
Do they have books? |
4. Modals can, could, may, must, need, will etc.
Pronouns |
Affirmative sentence |
Negative sentence |
Question |
I, he, she, it, we, you, they |
I can play tennis. |
I cannot play tennis. |
Can I play tennis? |
► We can subtitute don't (can't) for do not (cannot).
Modals have the same form every time regardless the subject. We do not add an -s to the infinitive.