







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 | |
|---|---|
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | In diesen Fällen bleibt Pogo alleine zuhause, ohne Essen und ohne Aufmerksamkeit. |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | Weil wir sie kennen und ihre Handynummern haben? |
| The rice section is over there. | Die Reisabteilung ist dort drüben. |
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | Oh, die Katze deiner Freundin... Lebt sie hier mit dir? |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | Keine Sorge, ich mag kein wirklich schweres Frühstück. |
| You are very funny mate. | Sehr witzig. |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | Ich kann ihn mitbringen, wenn ich wieder für's Frühstück herkomme. |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | Das wäre großartig! Denkst du, dass das möglich ist? |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | Gibt es außer Kleinigkeiten nicht mehr viel zu tun. |
| No, no, nothing is wrong, no need to worry, we are all fine... | Nein, nein, alles ist in Ordnung. Keine Sorge uns allen geht es gut... |
| Well, that's another problem! | Nun, das ist ein weiteres Problem! |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | Es ist 16:30 Uhr, also sind wir pünktlich. |
| I live just opposite the pub. | Ich lebe genau gegenüber vom Pub. |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | Ich kann ihn momentan nicht anrufen, weil er nicht erreichbar ist. |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | Öhm, ich hab heute nur Lust auf Fisch und nichts anderes. |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | Hallo mein Freund, wie geht es dir? |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | Meinst du zwei Gabeln reichen uns? |
| I am 24. | Ich bin 24. |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | Ich schätze meiner ist älter als deiner! |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | Alle unsere Klamotten stinken dadurch! |