







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 am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | Ich plane ein bisschen auszuschlafen, da es ein Feiertag ist. |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | Ich weiß nicht, maximal 33? |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | Eigentlich ist es ziemlich dringend für mich. |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | Meine Kollegin hat hier vermerkt, dass es Ihr Hochzeitsjubiläum ist! |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | Solche verantwortungslosen Menschen machen mich wütend! |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | Mike, 250 Grad ist die Höchsttemperatur! |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | Sorry, ich hoffe das hat deine Kindheitserinnerungen nicht ruiniert... |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | Ja, ich denke der Kleiderschrank ist zu klein für zwei Menschen. |
| My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | Mein Vater ist Brite und meine Mutter ist Australierin. |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | Ich mag die Fischrestaurants dort. |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | Das ist mehr als genug. Ich brauche auch etwas Knoblauch. |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | Tut mir leid, dass ich bei der Eröffnung nicht da war. |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | Ja, ich frage mich ob wir bei Filmen auch denselben Geschmack haben! |
| But I think that's only for older women. | Aber ich denke das gilt nur für ältere Frauen. |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | Auf der Northern Line. Die gleiche Linie die wir hier verwenden. |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | Gibt es sonst noch etwas was ich für dich tun kann, meine Liebe? |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | Er ist ein Klempner, Schatz. Scheinbar ist die Toilette verstopft. |
| How often do you have free time, then? | Wie oft hast du denn Zeit? |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | Ist es möglich keine Fahrscheine für den Rückweg zu finden? |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | Vielleicht hat sie wirklich eine Allergie gegen Katzen. Das wissen wir nicht. |