







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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | Keine Sorge Mike, ich denke dieser hier ist besser. |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | Ich denke du willst nicht wirklich, dass ich länger hier bleibe! |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | Ähm, es tut mir Leid, aber wir sind heute Abend ausgebucht! |
| I'm okay, how are you? | Mir geht's gut und dir? |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | Das Rezept ist für 6 Personen. |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | Es ist 16:30 Uhr, also sind wir pünktlich. |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | Sieht es für dich wirklich so aus, als ob wir eine Putzfrau haben? |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | Tut mir leid, dass ich bei der Eröffnung nicht da war. |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | Ich denke ich habe eine bessere Idee, was wir mit dem Bett machen können! |
| I think the price is very cheap. | Der Preis ist meiner Meinung nach sehr günstig. |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | Das ist so traurig. Wie alt sind deine Eltern? |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | Das wäre großartig! Denkst du, dass das möglich ist? |
| Do you have a cigarette? | Hast du eine Zigarette? |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | Öhm, wir haben keins, aber es gibt Brot, das nicht mir gehört. |
| How many people live in this house? | Wie viele Menschen leben in diesem Haus? |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | Nun, ich denke wir müssen nicht zu viele Dinge auf einmal kochen. |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | Ja, er würde gerne ausziehen... |
| Don't you think it's too far away from the tube station? | Denkst du nicht, dass es zu weit weg ist von der U-Bahn Haltestelle? |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | Gottseidank ist es nichts bedenkliches. |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | Gibt es außer Kleinigkeiten nicht mehr viel zu tun. |