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The verb to finish · Conjugation

Present Simple of finish

The answer: finish / finishes

A1

Habits, routines and facts that are always true.

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Quick answer

The Present Simple of the verb to finish is finish / finishes.

Example: I finish at 5pm.

Full conjugation in the Present Simple

PronounForm
Ifinish
Youfinish
He / She / Itfinishes
Wefinish
You (pl.)finish
Theyfinish

Common mistakes to avoid

1. He finish ❌

With he, she and it, the verb needs -s (or -es): he finishes, she finishes, it finishes. The same is true with one person or one thing: my friend finishes. This is one of the most common mistakes in English, so always check your verb.

2. Does she finishes? ❌

In a question or a negative, the -s is already on does. So the main verb goes back to the base form: Does she finish…?, She doesn't finish. Never put -s on both verbs.

3. I am finish ❌

In the Present Simple, do not put am, is or are before the verb. Say I finish, not I am finish. A very common example is I am agree: say I agree. Use am, is or are with an -ing form (I am reading) or with an adjective (I am happy).

Practice quiz

Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank

Choose the correct answer: What is the Present Simple of finish with she?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate finish in the Present Simple?+

Use finish with I, you, we and they. Use finishes with he, she and it: I finish, she finishes. Only he, she and it change. All the other forms are the same.

When do you use the Present Simple of finish?+

Use the Present Simple for habits, routines and facts that are always true. Common signal words are every day, usually, often, always, sometimes and never. For an action happening right now, use the Present Continuous: I am finishing.

Is it he finish or he finishes?+

It is he finishes. Verbs that end in -o, -s, -sh, -ch, -x or -z add -es, not just -s: finish → finishes.

How do you make the negative of finish in the Present Simple?+

Use don't (do not) or doesn't (does not) + the base form. The base form is the verb with no to and no -s: I don't finish, she doesn't finish. English needs do or does to make the negative: I not finish is wrong.

How do you make a question with finish in the Present Simple?+

Use do or does + the subject + the base form: Do you finish…?, Does she finish…? After does, the main verb has no -s. In a short answer, repeat do or does: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.

Related pages: finish Present Simple

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Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →

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