







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 | |
|---|---|
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | Meine Kollegin hat hier vermerkt, dass es Ihr Hochzeitsjubiläum ist! |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | Aber kannst du sie vorher anrufen und fragen, ob sie mit Haustieren einverstanden sind? |
| What genre do you listen to? | Welche Musikrichtung hörst du? |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | Die Leute nehmen das Besteck mit in ihr Zimmer und bringen es nicht zurück! |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | Die Katze gehört nicht wirklich mir. Es ist die Katze meiner Freundin. |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | Mike, Teriyaki ist japanisch. Wir sind in einem chinesischen Restaurant. |
| Hi there, are you ready? | Hallo, bist du bereit? |
| Is that right? | Stimmt das? |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | Du siehst mir nicht aus wie eine Englischlehrerin. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | Hallo, spreche ich mit Cate? |
| That's good, seeing three houses in one day is not bad. | Das ist gut, drei Häuser an einem Tag anzusehen ist nicht schlecht. |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmm... ja, wir verstehen uns wirklich gut. |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | Hi Mädels, das ist Mike. |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | Ich habe nicht jeden Tag Zeit zum Kochen. |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | Ja, der Kerl mit dem Bart ist Mike. |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | Nichts, weil ich nicht weiß wie die Frau aussieht. |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | Ja, das ist normal. Er faucht manchmal sogar meine neuen Socken an! |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | Leicester Square oder Piccadilly Circus? |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | Sind wir nicht zu viert Schatz? |
| Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | Musst du morgen früh aufstehen? |