







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 | |
|---|---|
| My cat is in the garden. | Mein Kater ist im Garten. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | Hallo, spreche ich mit Cate? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | Ich möchte nüchtern und voller Energie für morgen sein. |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | Entschuldigung. Ist es möglich das Haus am Samstag nach 14 Uhr anzusehen? |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | Wenn du nach Geld fragen willst, ich habe auch keins. |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | Keine Sorge Diego, es geht nicht um dich! |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | Das ist die perfekte Uhrzeit um ein Haus zu besichtigen... |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | Ich brauche etwas Arborio-Reis für das Risotto. |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | Ja, ist es. Aber bei dir ist es nicht so offensichtlich. |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | Ja, definitiv. Er wechselt nicht gerne den Ort. |
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | Meine reizende Frau erzählt mir immer wie gut ihre Frühlingsröllchen sind. |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | Willst du, dass ich Diego anrufe? |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | Ich hoffe sie werden auch pünktlich hier sein... Ich mag es nicht zu warten. |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | Das führt dazu, dass er im ganzen Haus Häufchen macht und überall hinpinkelt. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | Sie steht meistens in der rechten oberen Ecke Ihres Bildschirms. |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | Vielen Dank für das Angebot. |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | Ich möchte nicht in den Vororten leben! |
| I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | Ich wache auf und mache mein Bett und mache anschließend mein Zimmer sauber. |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | Es macht mir nichts aus draußen zu sitzen, solange mir nicht kalt ist. |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | Okay, wenn du das meinst, dann vertraue ich dir! |