







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've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | Ich habe es endlich beendet und morgen ist der große Tag! |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | Ich denke du weckst mich öfter auf als die Stechmücken! |
| I was just joking, how are you? | Das war nur ein Witz, wie geht es dir? |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | Er ist gerade erst aus Brighton hergezogen und lebt in der Nähe. |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | Aber... Ich bin nicht gut im Lügen... |
| You can ask whatever you want to know. | Du kannst mich alles fragen, was du wissen möchtest. |
| It's got some water marks on it! | Es hat Wasserflecken! |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | Wow, nicht zu glauben. Gehört er dir? |
| Is she here with you? | Lebt sie hier mit dir? |
| The rice section is over there. | Die Reisabteilung ist dort drüben. |
| Is that okay for you? | Ist das für dich in Ordnung? |
| What kind of trick is that? | Welcher Trick denn? |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | Oh schau dir den großen Jungen an. Er wird jedes mal größer, wenn ich ihn sehe! |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | Alle unsere Klamotten stinken dadurch! |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | Es gibt auch ein bisschen Käse, aber der ist schon etwas schimmelig. |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | In Islington in Zone 1. Das ist für mich momentan der beste Ort. |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | Ich schicke dir auch Küsse. Ich werde dich anrufen, wenn ich dort bin! |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | Ich denke ich und Diego sind die einzigen Raucher im Haus. |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | Was ist diesmal der Grund dafür? |
| Isn't that funny? | Ist das nicht witzig? |