







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 | |
|---|---|
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | Es gibt auch ein bisschen Käse, aber der ist schon etwas schimmelig. |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | Hallo Beatrix, ich bin es, Cate. |
| No, they live in Australia. | Nein, sie leben in Australien. |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | Komm schon Mike, es geht nicht darum, ob ich zu Hause bin. |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | Und das Badezimmer und die Küche sind sauber. |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | Hmm... wir müssen es eigentlich kochen. |
| What's your favourite movie? | Was ist dein Lieblingsfilm? |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | Hallo, was für einen Hund hast du, Mike? |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | Er ist 70 und meine Mutter ist 64. |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | Keine Sorge, ich habe einen Schäler für dich! |
| Yes, I think she's great! | Ja, ich denke sie ist großartig! |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | Nein, davon bekomme ich Kopfschmerzen! |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | Nein, aber darauf habe ich Hunger... |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | Wie man sagt, Zeit ist die beste Medizin. |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | Nein, aber ich möchte definitiv nicht weiter in diesem Haus leben! |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | Danke Papa. Wo ist Bears Leine? |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Welche Besichtigung? Meinst du das Haus in Angel? |
| She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | Es ist alles in Ordnung. Wir haben noch 3 Monate. |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | Ich vermute er will etwas Wasser trinken. |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | Das ist mein Freund Mike. |