







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 | |
|---|---|
| Mike, it is a continent! | Mike, es ist ein Kontinent! |
| Do you have a cigarette? | Hast du eine Zigarette? |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | Ja, das ist eine gute Idee. |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | Ich mag es nicht in der Küche zu rauchen. |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | Das wusste ich nicht. Ich hoffe es ist nichts Ernstes. |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | Es ist immer noch £5 mehr als für das große Zimmer! |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | Ich möchte darüber in diesem Haus nicht sprechen. |
| Do you know her well? | Kennst du sie gut? |
| How long does the flight usually take? | Wie lange dauert der Flug normalerweise? |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | Mike, Teriyaki ist japanisch. Wir sind in einem chinesischen Restaurant. |
| Yeah, I've got it! | Ja, ich habe ihn! |
| So I don't snore everyday... | Also schnarche ich nicht jeden Tag... |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | Eine ganze, ungeöffnete 500g Packung. |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | Ja, kann sein, aber ich bin momentan sehr beschäftigt mit ein paar Projekten. |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | Wie auch immer, mein Unterricht beginnt jetzt. Ich muss auflegen. |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | Keine Sorge, ich mag kein wirklich schweres Frühstück. |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | Und es ist schwer zu glauben, aber er ist sauber. |
| Hi there, are you ready? | Hallo, bist du bereit? |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | Hi Mädels, das ist Mike. |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | Leicester Square oder Piccadilly Circus? |