







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | Es ist schwer für mich, mehr als einmal pro Jahr hinzureisen. |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | Wow, nicht zu glauben. Gehört er dir? |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | Du bist so realistisch Schatz, aber wo ist dein Hochzeitsring? |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | Er ist gerade erst aus Brighton hergezogen und lebt in der Nähe. |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Tschüss Mike, ich hoffe man sieht sich wieder. |
| Is there any other cat around? | Gibt es sonst noch eine andere Katze? |
| No, I don't have one! | Nein, ich habe keine! |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | Einzelhaus mit 5 Schlafzimmern in der Lyme Street für £2800, richtig? |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | Ich denke ich habe einen Kuss verdient... |
| Why is that rice so special? | Warum ist dieser Reis so besonders? |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | Ich möchte nicht in den Vororten leben! |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | Ich weiß nicht wirklich, was ist deiner? |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | Sind wir nicht zu viert Schatz? |
| Exactly, one of them is asking for 3,500, the other one is 3,000... | Genau, einmal wird 3500 verlangt und beim anderen Haus 3000... |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | Sorry, ich habe nicht viel Zeit. Kann ich euch die Geschichte erzählen, wenn ich zurück bin? |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | Ich bin deswegen ein bisschen paranoid. |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | Wie auch immer, mein Unterricht beginnt jetzt. Ich muss auflegen. |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | Der Rest des Hauses ist in Ordnung, aber die Küche ist etwas schmutzig. |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | Ja, es ist tatsächlich sehr wichtig für mich. |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | Oh schau dir den großen Jungen an. Er wird jedes mal größer, wenn ich ihn sehe! |