







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 | |
|---|---|
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | Ich habe gesucht nach: "Weiß Pinocchio, dass er kein echter Junge ist". |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | Eigentlich ist es ziemlich dringend für mich. |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | Nun, ich denke wir alle müssen bald gehen. |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | Leider ist sie ein Teenager. Sie ist 19! |
| Yes, I think she's great! | Ja, ich denke sie ist großartig! |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | Nein, davon bekomme ich Kopfschmerzen! |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | Sie hätte ihre Mutter sein können... Wer weiß? |
| They also have three big windows in their room! | Sie haben auch drei große Fenster in ihrem Zimmer! |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | Beruhige dich Schatz. Ich denke nicht, dass er weiß was er sagt. |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | Was ist diesmal der Grund dafür? |
| It says best before 25th of February. | Hier steht: Mindestens haltbar bis zum 25. Februar. |
| I hope he gets well soon. | Ich hoffe er wird bald wieder gesund. |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | Dort war ich noch nie zuvor. Wo ist das? |
| I see, I love cooking! | Achso, ich liebe es zu kochen! |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | Haben wir einen Mörser und einen Stößel? |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | Magst du sie mit oder ohne Haut? |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | Wo ist Flora? Ist sie nicht hier? |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | Also 2017 minus 1841 ist... |
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | Na ja, ich bin es gewohnt heute schlechte Nachrichten zu bekommen. Was ist los? |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | Was ist los? Ist alles okay? |