







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 got a meeting with some people. | Ich habe ein Meeting mit ein paar Leuten. |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | Also, lebst du auch hier in der Gegend? |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | Ja, es war ziemlich einfach. Ich lebe ganz in der Nähe. |
| What's your favourite movie? | Was ist dein Lieblingsfilm? |
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | Gibt es ein Problem mit dem Akku deines Telefons? |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | Für mich ist es eigenartiger sie zu verschwenden! |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | Hast du irgendwelche Geschwister? |
| Certainly honey, do you want a glass or a bottle? | Sicher meine Liebe. Willst du ein Glas oder eine Flasche? |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | Daher kommt Pogo sehr gut mit Hunden aus. |
| Are you really asking me that question? | Fragst du mich das gerade wirklich? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | Es ist unmöglich für mich täglich zwischen Zone 9 und Zone 1 zu pendeln. |
| It's almost 09:30. | Es ist fast 09:30 Uhr. |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | Ich bin alleine, bis mein Freund kommt. |
| How is it my fault? | Wie ist es meine Schuld? |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | Ich habe es endlich beendet und morgen ist der große Tag! |
| So I don't snore everyday... | Also schnarche ich nicht jeden Tag... |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | Oh Gott, das ist die zweitschlimmste Tätigkeit in der Küche! |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | Ähm, du kannst ihnen sagen, dass es unser Hochzeitsjubiläum ist. |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | Kommen Sie herein. Hier im Erdgeschoss gibt es zwei Schlafzimmer... |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | Ich würde es bevorzugen draußen zu sitzen, da ich Raucher bin. |