







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 | |
|---|---|
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | Bist du sicher, dass sie aus Australien kommt? |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | Das würde ich gerne... Aber ich habe andere Dinge zu erledigen... |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | Es gibt einen Roboter im Körper eines Kindes, aber er weißt nicht, dass er ein Roboter ist. |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | Er würde nicht davonlaufen. Er will nur sehen, was draußen ist. |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | Nein, nichts ist in Ordnung. Ich bin jetzt in der Klemme! |
| Is your father sick? | Ist dein Vater krank? |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | Oh Gott, ich fühle mich jetzt zu müde. |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | Das ist so traurig. Wie alt sind deine Eltern? |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | Das andere kostet 3000, aber mit allen Nebenkosten. |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | Klar! Warum ist es so wichtig für dich? |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | Ja, ich mache das immer noch nicht. |
| What is it about? | Wovon handelt der Film? |
| Thanks for warning me now, that's very helpful! | Danke, dass du mir das jetzt sagst. Sehr hilfreich! |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | Wir haben dieses System noch nicht in Brighton. |
| Do you have a cigarette? | Hast du eine Zigarette? |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | Aber ich glaube nicht, dass ich alle verwenden kann. Es sind zu viele! |
| I feel hungry, too. | Ich bin auch hungrig. |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Kein Problem, ich bin fast fertig. |
| Maybe I know your friend. | Vielleicht kennen ich deinen Freund. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | Ähm... Sie zahlen 170 pro Woche. |