







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's a very interesting combination. | Das ist eine sehr interessante Kombination. |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | Ich denke nicht, dass wir dafür zahlen müssen. |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | Stimmt, wir sollten niemals vergessen, wie unverantwortlich meine Mitbewohner sind. |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | Es gibt auch ein bisschen Käse, aber der ist schon etwas schimmelig. |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | Mike! Du kannst nicht die Dinge von anderen nehmen, ohne sie zu fragen! |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | Lass mal nachrechnen. Ich zahle 135 pro Woche für eine Person... |
| 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... |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | Dann findet er heraus, dass er ein Robotoer ist und kein echtes Kind. |
| It's about a web project. | Es geht um ein Internet-Projekt. |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | Hmm... wir müssen es eigentlich kochen. |
| Do you mean the guy with the beard? | Meinst du den Kerl mit dem Bart? |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | Hm.. Ist sie nicht dort? |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | Das führt dazu, dass er im ganzen Haus Häufchen macht und überall hinpinkelt. |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | Bear sitzt hier mit mir. Sein Pimmel ist draußen. |
| No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | Nein, er gehört nicht mir. Er gehört allen im Haus. |
| Do you want to bet on it? | Möchtest du darauf wetten? |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | Es gibt noch viele andere, aber ich denke gumtree.com ist die beste Seite. |
| What's the time, are we early? | Wie spät ist es? Sind wir zu früh? |
| 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! |
| I need to wake him up now! | Ich muss ihn jetzt aufwecken! |