Elementary Unit 2
Elementary · Grammar Reference
Unit 2 — Present Simple he/she/it
3rd person singular · spelling rules · pronouns
2.1   Present Simple he, she, it

1 The Present Simple expresses a fact which is always true, or true for a long time.

He comes from New Zealand. She works with her husband.

2 The Present Simple also expresses a habit or a routine.

He often goes to the gym.   She walks her dog every day.
Positive
SubjectVerb
He / She / Itlivesin Hungary.
Negative
Subject
He / She / Itdoesn't livein Belgium.   (doesn't = does not)
Question
Q. wordAuxiliarySubjectVerb
Wheredoeshe / she / itlive?
Yes / No questions and short answers
To beSubjectVerbShort answers
Doeshe / she / itlivein America? / in France?Yes, he does. / No, she doesn't. / Yes, it does.
2.2   Spelling of the third person singular

1 Most verbs add -s in the third person singular.

wear → wears    speak → speaks    live → lives

But go and do are different. They add -es.

go → goes    do → does

2 If the verb ends in -s, -ss, -sh, or -ch, add -es.

finish → finishes    watch → watches

3 If the verb ends in a consonant + -y, the -y changes to -ies.

fly → flies    study → studies

But if the verb ends in a vowel + -y, the -y does not change.

play → plays

4 Have is irregular.   have → has

2.3   Pronouns

1 Subject pronouns come before the verb.

He likes them.   I love him. She wants it.

2 Object pronouns come after the verb.

He likes them.   I love him. She wants it.
Iyouhesheitwethey
SubjectIyouhesheitwethey
Objectmeyouhimheritusthem