







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 | |
|---|---|
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | Cate, ist alles in Ordnung? Du scheinst ein bisschen aggressiv zu sein. |
| Maybe I know your friend. | Vielleicht kennen ich deinen Freund. |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | Vielen Dank für das Angebot. |
| Are you serious? | Ist das dein Ernst? |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | Ähm, apropos, da wir gerade beim Thema sind... |
| 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've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | Ich habe auch 2 gefunden. Es gibt nicht viel Auswahl in Camden Lock. |
| What's the date today? | Welches Datum haben wir heute? |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | Bear hasst es auch beim Tierarzt zu sein. |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | Hallo gnädige Frau, sind Sie immer noch da? |
| Do you know how to use them? | Weißt du wie man sie benutzt? |
| Do you live around here? | Wohnst du in der Gegend? |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | Wurde nicht einfach nur ein Treffen abgesagt? |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | Also hast du offensichtlich keine Ahnung was es kostet ein Haus zu mieten. |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | Ich möchte nicht länger in diesem Haus bleiben! |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | Das Rezept ist für 6 Personen. |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | Ich denke ich habe auch gut geschlafen, aber ich habe schlimme Kopfschmerzen! |
| I usually take the train. | Ich nehme normalerweise den Zug. |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | Auf der Northern Line. Die gleiche Linie die wir hier verwenden. |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | Warum? Ich verwende nie ein Fragezeichen, wenn ich nach etwas suche! |