







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 | |
|---|---|
| Can I get you some more drinks? | Sollen ich Ihnen zuerst nachschenken? |
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | Das ist extrem. Ich denke nicht, dass wir einen Mörsel und einen Stößel haben. |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | Nein, ich bin ein Immobilienmakler. |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | Ich trage manche davon. Kann ich nachschauen, wenn ich zurück bin? |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | Du siehst mir nicht aus wie eine Englischlehrerin. |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | Echt? Ich möchte deinen Plan nicht ruinieren, aber... |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | Hey, was ist passiert? Ist alles in Ordnung? |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | Ich wusste es. Ich bin mir sicher sie zahlen viel weniger. |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | Soweit ich weiß kommen Chow-Chows nicht gut mit anderen Tieren zurecht. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | Ich möchte sie wirklich nicht wiedersehen! |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | Speck mit Eiern und ein paar Oliven reichen mir aus. |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | Was ist diesmal der Grund dafür? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | Bist du sicher, dass sie aus Australien kommt? |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | Es ist momentan sehr schwer mit dir zu telefonieren. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | Oh, tut mir leid, aber dieser Tisch ist leider reserviert. |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | Okay, wie viel Salz soll ich hinzufügen? |
| Is that right? | Stimmt das? |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | Momentan Remixe von Liedern aus den 60ern, 70ern. |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | Nein, ich lüge nicht! Ich lüge nie. |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | Bear sitzt hier mit mir. Sein Pimmel ist draußen. |