







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 | |
|---|---|
| Because you are in it. | Du bist dabei. |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | Leben deine Eltern auch in London? |
| Oh really? That's not good. | Oh wirklich? Das ist nicht gut. |
| I'm happy to hear that. | Das freut mich zu hören. |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | Ist es möglich morgen einzuziehen? |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | Ja, Sie können sich an diesen Tisch setzen. |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | Wie man sagt, Zeit ist die beste Medizin. |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | Genau. Ich hasse es mitten in der Nacht aufgewckt zu werden! |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | Ja, ihm geht es richtig gut, nachdem er sich eine Weile ausgeruht hat. |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | Übrigens, ich mag die Farbe der Wände... Was denkst du? |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | Danke Schatz... Dafür, dass du mir geholfen hast eine Lügnerin zu sein! |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | Hallo, es tut mir sehr Leid Schatz. Ich bin etwas zu spät. |
| How is your cat? | Wie geht es deinem Kater? |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | Wir sind heute unterwegs für Laura. |
| 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... |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | Es ist so als ob etwas Böses in ihnen steckt! |
| I think the price is very cheap. | Der Preis ist meiner Meinung nach sehr günstig. |
| Are you with your friends? | Bist du mit deinen Freunden hier? |
| Are you close friends? | Seid ihr gute Freunde? |
| What does Diego do? | Was arbeitet Diego? |