







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 | |
|---|---|
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | Was ist die Schlimmste? Den Abwasch machen oder saubermachen? |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | Ja, definitiv. Er wechselt nicht gerne den Ort. |
| Why is that rice so special? | Warum ist dieser Reis so besonders? |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | Nun, ich denke wir alle müssen bald gehen. |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | Echt? Wie wecke ich dich auf? |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | Entschuldigen Sie, hier ist eine unbeschädigte Packung Reis für Sie. |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | Fühlst du dich mittlerweile etwas besser? |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | Übrigens, mein Name ist Mike, wie heißt du? |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | Ja, das ist normal. Er faucht manchmal sogar meine neuen Socken an! |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | Hast du irgendwelche Geschwister? |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | Ich bin alleine, bis mein Freund kommt. |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | Ich vermute er will etwas Wasser trinken. |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | Nun, so ist es halt... Möchten Sie sich das obere Stockwerk ansehen? |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | Meine Mitbewohner machen nichts in der Küche sauber. |
| And the buses always arrive on time. | Und die Busse sind immer pünktlich. |
| No, they live in Australia. | Nein, sie leben in Australien. |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | Ist das nicht etwas zu früh fürs Abendessen? |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | Ich habe einen Termin beim Innenministerium wegen der Verlängerung meines Visums. |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | Ja, die Packung ist beschädigt, aber er ist noch nicht abgelaufen. |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | Wie sieht für dich denn eine Englischlehrerin aus? |