







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 | |
|---|---|
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | Egal, du hast also 10 Tage Zeit das Haus zu verlassen. |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | Oh entschuldige. Ich wusste nicht, dass ich nicht bestellen darf was ich möchte! |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | Es tut mir Leid, aber ich habe schlechte Nachrichten über das Zimmer... |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | Was ist diesmal der Grund dafür? |
| Do you have their number? | Hast du ihre Nummer? |
| But for how many people? | Aber für wie viele Personen? |
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | Es kostet definitiv eine Menge, aber das ist nicht der einzige Grund. |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | Oh nein! Sind Sie sicher, dass nichts verfügbar ist? |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | Warum gehst du nicht an dein Handy? |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | Komm schon Schatz, ich weiß, dass du möchtest, dass ich einziehe! |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | Bist du sicher, dass sie aus Australien kommt? |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Hier bitteschön. Hier ist Ihr Kassenzettel und Ihre £20. |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | Ich hoffe deinen Freunden macht das nichts aus. |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Ich schätze meine einzige Wahl ist zu dir in dein Haus zu kommen! |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | Klar! Warum ist es so wichtig für dich? |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | Oh, sorry! Du machst Dinge nicht gerne sauber. Ich kann es machen. |
| But I don't know him well. | Aber ich kenne ihn nicht gut. |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | Nein, sie studiert an einer Universität in Russland. |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | Lass mich mal schauen... Ja, es gibt ein paar Teller. |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | Ja, es ist tatsächlich sehr wichtig für mich. |