







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 | |
|---|---|
| What's wrong with him? | Was stimmt nicht mit ihm? |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | Ja, es gibt auch ein paar Messer. |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | Ich bin alleine, bis mein Freund kommt. |
| I'm really sorry about that! | Das tut mir wirklich leid! |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | Dann denke ich wir müssen es uns nicht ansehen! |
| I really don't want to see her again! | Ich möchte sie wirklich nicht wiedersehen! |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | Hast du irgendwelche Geschwister? |
| Yes, of course I remember. | Ja, natürlich erinnere ich mich. |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | Sie wiegen alles an der Kasse. |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | Wir könnten etwas auf dem Weg zum Bahnhof essen. |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | Ich denke du willst nicht wirklich, dass ich länger hier bleibe! |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | Schau auf's Regal. Laut Preisschild kostet er £2,20 pro Kilo. |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | Lass mich mal schauen... Ja, es gibt ein paar Teller. |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | Momentan Remixe von Liedern aus den 60ern, 70ern. |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | Guter Junge, Beary! Siehst du? Er ist nur ein kleiner Freund. |
| What's your favourite movie? | Was ist dein Lieblingsfilm? |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | Ja, jeder kostet um die 2 Pfund. |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | Genau. Ich hasse es mitten in der Nacht aufgewckt zu werden! |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | Alles ist so wie beworben. |
| Nope, I don't cook fancy things, only regular dishes. | Nein, ich koche keine aufwendigen Gerichte, nur gewöhnliche Sachen. |