







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 feel a bit tired and very hungry. | Ich bin ein bisschen müde und sehr hungrig. |
| Okay, so what's our plan now? | Okay, also was machen wir jetzt? |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | Wie sieht für dich denn eine Englischlehrerin aus? |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | Ich habe nicht gesagt, dass es deine Schuld ist, aber du bist jetzt dran... |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | Sie wiegen alles an der Kasse. |
| Are they older or younger? | Sind sie jünger oder älter? |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | Haben wir einen Mörser und einen Stößel? |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | Ich habe keine Ahnung... Aber ich hoffe die Person hat einen guten Grund! |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | Ähm... Sie zahlen 170 pro Woche. |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | Warte, es gibt eine andere Webseite da steht... |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | Okay, wie lang ist sie? Weißt du das? |
| I've got a meeting with some people. | Ich habe ein Meeting mit ein paar Leuten. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | Ist es nicht schneller mit der U-Bahn? |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | Sorry, aber sie servieren hier keine Pommes... |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | Sieht gut aus. Ich denke ich mag das Haus sehr! |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | Eine Packung enthält 2 Stück. |
| We call it a sixth sense! | Wir nennen es den sechsten Sinn! |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | Leben deine Eltern auch in London? |
| Okay, who sings it? | Okay, wer singt es? |
| Yes it is, how are you? | Ja, wie geht es dir? |