







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 | |
|---|---|
| You look much younger than that. | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | |
| That's why you have a headache now! | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| Hey, we are back. | |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| Oh really? That's not good. | |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | |
| It's too fruity. | |
| Does that help you to believe me? | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| Hello there, are you Cate? | |