







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Okay, das kostet dann insgesamt £36.74. |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | Egal, ich muss auch auf die Toilette gehen... |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | Danke, aber ich habe keine Zeit zu bleiben. |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Verzeihung, hier sind Ihre Getränke und die Speisekarte. |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | Ja, meine Nummer ist 0773***0282 |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | Deswegen ist die Miete auch viel niedriger als im Durchschnitt. |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | Ja, die Packung ist beschädigt, aber er ist noch nicht abgelaufen. |
| There is nothing under 3,000 in Angel! | Es gibt in Angel nichts unter 3000! |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | Das Rezept ist für 6 Personen. |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | Es scheint so, als ob du dich mit Kaffee auskennst. |
| Is that you, Mike? | Bist du das, Mike? |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | Dann will ich es aber braten. |
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | Na ja, ich bin es gewohnt heute schlechte Nachrichten zu bekommen. Was ist los? |
| I hope it's not related to me! | Ich hoffe es geht nicht um mich! |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | Leider ist sie ein Teenager. Sie ist 19! |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | Soll ich dir ein Glas Wein holen? |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | Ich denke nicht, dass sie reden möchte oder irgendetwas lösen möchte! |
| Hey, before you go... | Hey, bevor du gehst... |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | Hallo, es tut mir sehr Leid Schatz. Ich bin etwas zu spät. |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | Soll ich die Pilze für dich in Scheiben schneiden? |