







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 | |
|---|---|
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Hier bitteschön. Hier ist Ihr Kassenzettel und Ihre £20. |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | Deine perfekt geformten Pilze sind fertig! |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | Aber... Ich bin nicht gut im Lügen... |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | Nein, bei diesem Reis handelt es sich um die Eigenmarke des Geschäfts. Deswegen ist er nicht teuer. |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | Es ist momentan sehr schwer mit dir zu telefonieren. |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | Hast du irgendwelche Geschwister? |
| Oh really? That's not good. | Oh wirklich? Das ist nicht gut. |
| Okay, who sings it? | Okay, wer singt es? |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | Hey Mike, du siehst so besorgt aus! |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | Nein, sie ist ein sehr süßes, lockeres und freundliches Mädchen. |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | Ja, unser Zimmer hat nur ein Fenster! |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | Ähm, apropos, da wir gerade beim Thema sind... |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | Was ist los? Ist alles okay? |
| Thank you very much! | Vielen Dank! |
| No worries, everybody uses my stuff all the time. | Keine Sorge, alle nehmen sich immer meine Sachen. |
| Yes, that's the one. | Ja, genau die. |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | Ich habe mir ein paar angesehen, aber bisher gefällt mir nichts. |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Weißt du, ich habe normalerweise Unterricht am frühen Morgen. |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | Ich denke 4000 Pfund sind nicht wenig. |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | Du meinst Rebecca und Cecilia? |