







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | Öhm... Solange deine Hände noch schmutzig sind... |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Ich schätze meine einzige Wahl ist zu dir in dein Haus zu kommen! |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | Klar, es sind 4 Mädchen. Alle vier sind Studenten aus Deutschland. |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | Ich denke ich werde Ente bestellen. Die schmeckt köstlich. |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | Fühlst du dich mittlerweile etwas besser? |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | Also, lebst du auch hier in der Gegend? |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | Ja, klingt gut! |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | Wie soll ich die Zwiebeln schneiden? In kleine oder große Stücke? |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Kein Problem, ich bin fast fertig. |
| How often do you have free time, then? | Wie oft hast du denn Zeit? |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Okay, auf welche Temperatur soll ich ihn stellen? |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | Hallo Leute, wäre es möglich etwas leiser zu sein? |
| Are you with your friends? | Bist du mit deinen Freunden hier? |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | Hmm.. ja, ich brauche Pilze, Brühe, Sellerie... |
| No, I don't have one! | Nein, ich habe keine! |
| There is a little market near the school. | Es gibt einen kleinen Markt in der Nähe der Schule. |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | Normalerweise lesen Mädchen eine halbe Stunde lang die Weinkarte, bevor sie bestellen. |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | Klar! Warum ist es so wichtig für dich? |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | Also wären es 2800 im Monat! |
| Then people come and complain to me! | Dann kommen die Leute und beschweren sich bei mir! |