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The verb to lean · Conjugation

Present Simple of lean

The answer: lean / leans

A1

Habits, routines and facts that are always true.

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Quick answer

The Present Simple of the verb to lean is lean / leans.

Example: I lean against the wall.

Full conjugation in the Present Simple

PronounForm
Ilean
Youlean
He / She / Itleans
Welean
You (pl.)lean
Theylean

Common mistakes to avoid

1. He lean ❌

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

2. Does she leans? ❌

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

3. I am agree ❌

In the Present Simple, do not put am, is or are before the verb. Say I agree, not I am agree. With lean, say I lean, she leans. 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 lean with she?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate lean in the Present Simple?+

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

When do you use the Present Simple of lean?+

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 leaning.

Is it he lean or he leans?+

It is he leans. In the Present Simple, he, she and it add -s to the verb: lean → leans. This -s is easy to forget. Check the verb every time the subject is he, she, it or one person (my friend leans).

How do you make the negative of lean 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 lean, she doesn't lean. English needs do or does to make the negative: I not lean is wrong.

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

Use do or does + the subject + the base form: Do you lean…?, Does she lean…? 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: lean 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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