







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 says best before 25th of February. | Hier steht: Mindestens haltbar bis zum 25. Februar. |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | Momentan Remixe von Liedern aus den 60ern, 70ern. |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | Ich bin hungrig, aber es ist besser etwas zu essen, wenn wir die Jungs treffen. |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | Ich bin auf dem Weg nach Brighton. Fast da! |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | Ich denke nicht, dass das normal ist. Denkst du, dass das normal ist? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | Ich möchte nüchtern und voller Energie für morgen sein. |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | Hmm, ich mag Pop, Rock und Funk. |
| Girls, this is Diego. | Mädels, das ist Diego. |
| I usually take the train. | Ich nehme normalerweise den Zug. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | Tut mir Leid für die Unannehmlichkeit. |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | Kannst du aufhören so zu tun, al ob ich immer nach Geld fragen würde? |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | Ich kann ihn mitbringen, wenn ich wieder für's Frühstück herkomme. |
| Oh, I think I know them. | Oh, ich denke die Rasse kenne ich. |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | Ist es Heuschnupfen? Ich habe ein paar Tabletten dafür! |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | Keine Sorge, ich mag kein wirklich schweres Frühstück. |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | Du hast Recht. Soll ich etwas unterwegs kaufen? |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | Aber in der Anzeige steht, dass das Haus voll möbliert ist! |
| That's not nice, Mike! | Das ist nicht nett Mike! |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | Ich denke diese Sache mit "der Hand die Feuer fing" ist ein Witz! |
| What line is it on? | Auf welcher Linie liegt Camden? |