







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 | |
|---|---|
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | Okay! Wer möchte dann ein Glas Chardonnay? |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | Komm schon Mike, es geht nicht darum, ob ich zu Hause bin. |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | Das wusste ich nicht. Ich hoffe es ist kein schlimmes Problem für ihn. |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | Ich kann natürlich kochen, aber nur wenn ich Lust dazu habe. |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Tschüss Mike, ich hoffe man sieht sich wieder. |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | Es freut mich zu hören, dass wir einen ähnlichen Musikgeschmack haben! |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | Übrigens, mein Name ist Mike, wie heißt du? |
| Hi there, are you ready? | Hallo, bist du bereit? |
| It sounds important. | Das klingt sehr wichtig. |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Hier bitteschön. Hier ist Ihr Kassenzettel und Ihre £20. |
| You don't know the story behind it. | Du kennst die Geschichte dahinter nicht. |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | Gehst du oft dahin? |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | Ist das nicht etwas zu früh fürs Abendessen? |
| It's got some water marks on it! | Es hat Wasserflecken! |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Verzeihung, hier sind Ihre Getränke und die Speisekarte. |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | Ich weiß nicht, maximal 33? |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | Eigentlich ist es ziemlich dringend für mich. |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | Okay, soll ich also 3 Portionen machen? |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | Ja und der Markt ist gut. Ist Camden Lock in Zone 2 oder 3? |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | Ich hoffe deinen Freunden macht das nichts aus. |