







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you want me to put it in the bin? | Soll ich sie in den Müll werfen? |
| Dear, who is it? | Schatz, wer ist es? |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | Ja, meinst du Dreiräder? |
| 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. |
| You know tomorrow is my last day. | Du weißt, dass morgen mein letzter Tag ist. |
| How long does it usually take? | Wie lange dauert das normalerweise? |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | Ich habe nur noch Samstag, bevor ich am Sonntag ausziehen muss. |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | Aber kannst du sie vorher anrufen und fragen, ob sie mit Haustieren einverstanden sind? |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | Wir sind heute unterwegs für Laura. |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | Bist du der einzige Raucher im Haus? |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | Es gibt auch ein bisschen Käse, aber der ist schon etwas schimmelig. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | Ist es nicht schneller mit der U-Bahn? |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | Ich denke ich habe einen Kuss verdient... |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | Du musst auf den Knopf drücken und ihn nach rechts drehen. |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | Ähm... Ja... Klar! Es ist unser erstes Jubiläum! |
| My laptop is in it. | Mein Laptop ist darin. |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | Ich war mit Bear draußen und bin gerade dabei zu gehen. |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | Ich schätze ich kann mich mit dir um 20:30 Uhr treffen oder is das zu spät? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | Es ist unmöglich für mich täglich zwischen Zone 9 und Zone 1 zu pendeln. |
| Yes, of course I remember. | Ja, natürlich erinnere ich mich. |