In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
Present simple example sentences | |
---|---|
Is there a knife? | |
Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | |
Dear, who is it? | |
Isn't it too early for dinner? | |
Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | |
He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
Hope to see you later. | |
It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | |
I think the price is very cheap. | |
Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
I really don't want to see her again! | |
Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | |
I'm a web designer. | |
Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | |
Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | |
Then I want to roast it, though. |