







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 | |
|---|---|
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | Ich denke du willst nicht wirklich, dass ich länger hier bleibe! |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | Nein, ich habe echt schlimme Allergien. |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | Kennst du den Pub um die Ecke? |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | Oh entschuldigen Sie bitte. Mein Mann hat Hörprobleme... |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | Aber ich glaube nicht, dass ich alle verwenden kann. Es sind zu viele! |
| Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | Mit Bear rauszugehen dauert normalerweise eine Stunde. |
| How long does the flight usually take? | Wie lange dauert der Flug normalerweise? |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | Deswegen vertraue ich ruhigen Menschen nie... |
| No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | Nein, er gehört nicht mir. Er gehört allen im Haus. |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | Nein, sie sieht nicht sauber aus. Soll ich sie saubermachen? |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | Also 2017 minus 1841 ist... |
| There is a little market near the school. | Es gibt einen kleinen Markt in der Nähe der Schule. |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | Marvin Gaye aus den 60ern, aber das ist der Remix. |
| 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? |
| Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | Nein, wie ich schon erwähnt habe, leben sie in Australien. |
| What kind of trick is that? | Welcher Trick denn? |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | Hmm, ich mag Pop, Rock und Funk. |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | Sind wir nicht zu viert Schatz? |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | Ja, ich frage mich ob wir bei Filmen auch denselben Geschmack haben! |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Ich schätze meine einzige Wahl ist zu dir in dein Haus zu kommen! |