







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 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. |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | Öhm.. sie könnte blau sein. Ich erinnere mich nicht mehr wirklich. |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | Er will, aber heute Abend ist es unmöglich. |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | Glückwunsch, ich wünsche dir Glück! |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Weißt du, ich habe normalerweise Unterricht am frühen Morgen. |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | Oh sorry, ich brauche auch eine Reibe für den Käse. |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | Was denkst du Schatz, magst du es auch? |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | Ich möchte nicht in den Vororten leben! |
| No, they live in Australia. | Nein, sie leben in Australien. |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | Nun, vielleicht können wir in eine Zweizimmerwohnung ziehen. Was denkst du? |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | Danke, aber ich habe keine Zeit zu bleiben. |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | Hallo, es tut mir leid, aber es ist kein Chardonnay mehr übrig Cate. |
| When you stop believing we can get a house in Mayfair for 2,400! | Wenn du aufhörst zu glauben, dass wir ein Haus in Mayfair für 2400 mieten können! |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | Ja, sie kommt zurück. Aber mache ich das nicht immer? |
| Is there any other cat around? | Gibt es sonst noch eine andere Katze? |
| It's the second one from the top. | Es ist der Zweite von oben. |
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | Meine reizende Frau erzählt mir immer wie gut ihre Frühlingsröllchen sind. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | Tut mir Leid für die Unannehmlichkeit. |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | Es spart mir Zeit das übrig gebliebene Essen, während der Woche, zu essen. |
| I will ask him to take Bear out, so we can have breakfast. | Ich werde ihn bitten mit Bear Gassi zu gehen, damit wir frühstücken können. |