The present simple tense: regular verbs: How and When to Use in English

The hotel opens at 6 a.m. In the present simple tense, add an s at the end of the verb when the subject is he, she or it (here the hotel = it). Example: he works in New York. 

Use open after all subjects except for he, she or it. Example: I/you/they open the door.

They live in Central Park. In the present simple tense, use the infinitive form without to (to live → live) with all subjects, except for he/she/it. Example: they live in Melbourne.

You could say, for example, He lives in Central Park with lives because the subject is he, but not with they.

It rains a lot in autumn… especially in the UK! With a subject like it, add an s at the end of the verb in the present simple tense. Example: when it rains, it pours. Note: it is often used to refer to the weather (it snows here).

When the subject is it we have to add an s to the end of the verb.

He needs a job. In the present simple tense, add an s at the end of the verb when it is conjugated with he, she or it. Example: Mary cleans her room.

You can say, for example, we need a job without an s because the subject is we, but you need to add the s with a subject like he.

We wake up early. In the present simple tense, use the infinitive form without to (to make → make) with all subjects, except for he/she/it. Example: we make a cake and we eat it all!

Add an s at the end of the verb if the subject is he/she/it, but not when the subject is we. Example: Roger wakes up at 9 a.m.

Anna wants a new bike, with an s at the end of the verb because the subject is Anna (=she). Example: She wants to go on holiday. (I need a holiday too!)

You could use want with all subjects except for he/she/it. In this case, the sentence refers to Anna, which corresponds to the subject she. Example: I/you/they want a new bike.

Luca takes English lessons with an s at the end of the verb because the subject is Luca (=he). Example: He drinks a lot of water.

I listen to music. Remove the to from the infinitive form (to listen → listen) and you are ready to use the simple present tense with the subject I! Example: I send an email.

She comes home at 6 p.m. In the present simple tense, add an s at the end of the verb with subjects like she, he or it. Example: she rides a bike.

You walk. In the present simple, we use the infinitive form without to for all pronouns, with the exception of he/she/it. Example: I/we/you/they walk home.

He/She/It walks. When conjugating the present simple with the subjects he/she/it, we add an s at the end of the infinitive form. Examples: he eats an ice cream; it snows in winter.