







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 | |
|---|---|
| Ah, I can't eat the breast, it's too dry for me! | Ah, ich kann die Brust nicht essen. Sie ist mir zu trocken! |
| It sounds important. | Das klingt sehr wichtig. |
| Where are you? | Wo bist du? |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | Ja, klingt gut! |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | Gehst du oft dahin? |
| Is that you, Mike? | Bist du das, Mike? |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | Laut Rezept 600g. |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | Wie sieht es bei deiner Mutter aus, hat sie irgendwelche gesundheitlichen Probleme? |
| And the buses always arrive on time. | Und die Busse sind immer pünktlich. |
| It says best before 25th of February. | Hier steht: Mindestens haltbar bis zum 25. Februar. |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | Wir könnten etwas auf dem Weg zum Bahnhof essen. |
| Her name is Ayumi! | Ihr Name ist Ayumi! |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | Ich denke ich habe eine bessere Idee, was wir mit dem Bett machen können! |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | Soll ich die Weinflasche waschen, bevor ich dir davon einschenke? |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | Hallo Mike, ganz gut und dir? |
| What's the time, are we early? | Wie spät ist es? Sind wir zu früh? |
| Is that okay for you? | Ist das für dich in Ordnung? |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | Okay, ich koche nicht gerne, aber ich probiere gerne Essen aus. |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | Sind wir nicht zu viert Schatz? |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | Ähm Entschuldigung, aber ich denke Sie meinen einen anderen Mike... |