







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'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | Ich bin wirklich beeindruckt von diesem Bahnhof. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | Oh, tut mir leid, aber dieser Tisch ist leider reserviert. |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | Sollen ich Ihnen zuerst nachschenken? |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | Kommen Sie herein. Hier im Erdgeschoss gibt es zwei Schlafzimmer... |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | Hallo, es tut mir leid, aber es ist kein Chardonnay mehr übrig Cate. |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, so lange in einem Flugzeug zu sein! |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmm... ja, wir verstehen uns wirklich gut. |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | Ähm... Wir sind verheiratet... Ich meinte heute ist unser Hochzeitsjubiläum! |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | Ich denke nicht, dass wir dafür zahlen müssen. |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | Es scheint so, als ob Pogo in den Garten möchte. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | Ich möchte sie wirklich nicht wiedersehen! |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, wie schwierig und teuer es sein kann. |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Ich schätze meine einzige Wahl ist zu dir in dein Haus zu kommen! |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | Nein, sie ist ein sehr süßes, lockeres und freundliches Mädchen. |
| Do you want me to call them? | Soll ich sie anrufen? |
| Is she here with you? | Lebt sie hier mit dir? |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | Alle unsere Klamotten stinken dadurch! |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | Wer zum Teufel ist das? Wie spät ist es? |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Welche Besichtigung? Meinst du das Haus in Angel? |
| Is that right? | Stimmt das? |