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The verb to saw · Conjugation

Present Simple of saw

The answer: saw / saws

A1

Habits, routines and facts that are always true.

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Quick answer

The Present Simple of the verb to saw is saw / saws.

Example: He saws wood for fun.

Full conjugation in the Present Simple

PronounForm
Isaw
Yousaw
He / She / Itsaws
Wesaw
You (pl.)saw
Theysaw

Common mistakes to avoid

1. He saw ❌

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

2. Does she saws? ❌

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

3. I am saw ❌

In the Present Simple, do not put am, is or are before the verb. Say I saw, not I am saw. 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 saw with she?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate saw in the Present Simple?+

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

When do you use the Present Simple of saw?+

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 sawing.

Is it he saw or he saws?+

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

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

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

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