







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yes, I think she's great! | Ja, ich denke sie ist großartig! |
| Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | Willkommen zum Diamond Duck. Haben Sie eine Reservierung mein Herr? |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | Kein Sorge. Wir machen das nicht jeden Tag. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | Das Rezept ist für 6 Personen. |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | Toby, das ist Cate. Sie ist meine... Freundin aus London. |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | Hallo, es tut mir leid, aber es ist kein Chardonnay mehr übrig Cate. |
| It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | Er wird pro Stück verkauft. Die kleinen Knoblauchzwiebeln kosten 30p und die Großen 50p. |
| Do you know how to use them? | Weißt du wie man sie benutzt? |
| But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | Aber ich will zur Seebrücke von Brighton, bevor die Sonne untergeht. |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | Ja, er würde gerne ausziehen... |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | Ja, das ist eine gute Idee. |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | Okay, der Geriebene ist heute 20% günstiger. |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | Er will auch unsere Miete um 50% erhöhen! |
| I hope he gets well soon. | Ich hoffe er wird bald wieder gesund. |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | Warum holen Sie sich dann nicht das Haus? Möchten Sie das obere Stockwerk ansehen oder nicht? |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | Ich habe auch 2 gefunden. Es gibt nicht viel Auswahl in Camden Lock. |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | Ich vermute er will etwas Wasser trinken. |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | Ein Zimmer oben ist momentan frei, soweit ich weiß. |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | Sollen wir uns an der Haltestelle treffen oder soll ich dich zu Hause abholen? |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | Ich denke du willst nicht wirklich, dass ich länger hier bleibe! |