







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 | |
|---|---|
| How is there four of us? | Inwiefern sind wir zu viert? |
| Why do you want to live there? | Warum möchtest du dort leben? |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | Weißt du, sie ist normalerweise eine sehr leise und ruhige Person. |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | Also hast du offensichtlich keine Ahnung was es kostet ein Haus zu mieten. |
| What else do we need? | Was brauchen wir sonst noch? |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | Weil wir sie kennen und ihre Handynummern haben? |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | Wie sieht es bei deiner Mutter aus, hat sie irgendwelche gesundheitlichen Probleme? |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | Ja, sie ist hier schon geöffnet... |
| What’s their name? | Wie heißt er? |
| You are very funny mate. | Sehr witzig. |
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | Gibt es ein Problem mit dem Akku deines Telefons? |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, wie schwierig und teuer es sein kann. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | Hm.... Ungefähr 30? |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | Liegt es daran, dass die anderen Mieter keine Haustiere möchten? |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | Gibt es außer Kleinigkeiten nicht mehr viel zu tun. |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | Sehr gerne. Hier ist das Menü gnädige Frau. |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | Reicht dir ein Bündel? |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | Sorry, ich hoffe das hat deine Kindheitserinnerungen nicht ruiniert... |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | Öhm, ich hab heute nur Lust auf Fisch und nichts anderes. |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | Also wären es 2800 im Monat! |