







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 | |
|---|---|
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | Wessen Katze?... Meinst du meine Katze? |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | Warte kurz. Beide wiegen 300g und sind von derselben Marke. |
| I'm happy to hear that. | Das freut mich zu hören. |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | Das wusste ich nicht. Ich hoffe es ist kein schlimmes Problem für ihn. |
| Is that you, Mike? | Bist du das, Mike? |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | Nein, sie studiert an einer Universität in Russland. |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | Ich mag ein paar Songs von Jamiroquai, aber nicht alle. |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | Ja, sie liegt am Piccadilly Circus, genau im Zentrum. |
| I prefer red onions. | Ich bevorzuge rote Zwiebeln. |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | Aber wir müssen schnell sein. Ich habe nicht viel Zeit. |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | Er ist ein...entschuldige Mike, was arbeitest du? |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | Öhm, wir haben keins, aber es gibt Brot, das nicht mir gehört. |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | Es ist ein Art Willkommensparty für sie. |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | Das ist die perfekte Uhrzeit um ein Haus zu besichtigen... |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | Okay, wir haben dann alle Dinge, die wir brauchen. |
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | Was hätte ich sonst tun sollen? Erwartest du, dass ich nicht mehr schlafe bis ich sterbe? |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | Ich hoffe du bist dir bewusst, dass du nur noch 3 Tage hast, ein Haus zu finden... |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | Warum zahlt nicht jeder von uns 100 mehr und wir holen uns ein Haus in Mayfair? |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | Hallo Leute, wäre es möglich etwas leiser zu sein? |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | Du hast recht, er ist wahrscheinlich mehr als eine Zigarette wert. |