







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | Hmm okay... Ich denke ich habs verstanden. Ist er wie Pinocchio? |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | Übrigens, ich mag die Farbe der Wände... Was denkst du? |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | Ich denke nicht, dass der Film für Kinder geeignet ist mein Lieber. |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | Keine Sorge Diego, es geht nicht um dich! |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | Ich denke 4000 Pfund sind nicht wenig. |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | Sollen ich Ihnen zuerst nachschenken? |
| Are you really asking me that question? | Fragst du mich das gerade wirklich? |
| My laptop is in it. | Mein Laptop ist darin. |
| How old are you? | Wie alt bist du? |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | Komm schon Schatz, ich weiß, dass du möchtest, dass ich einziehe! |
| Because you are in it. | Du bist dabei. |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | Nein, davon bekomme ich Kopfschmerzen! |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | Aber ich glaube nicht, dass ich alle verwenden kann. Es sind zu viele! |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | Warum gehst du nicht an dein Handy? |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | Bear sitzt hier mit mir. Sein Pimmel ist draußen. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | Das Rezept ist für 6 Personen. |
| I see, I love cooking! | Achso, ich liebe es zu kochen! |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | Ja, ich möchte gerne ein Bier. Ich schätze du möchtest Wein Cate, oder? |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | Erstens, es ist so traurig dein Haustier mit Schmerzen zu sehen. |
| His name's Sergio. | Sein Name ist Sergio. |