







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 | |
|---|---|
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Aber er ist abgelaufen und die Packung hat ein Loch. |
| What does Diego do? | Was arbeitet Diego? |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | Es ist nicht viel weniger... Es ist nur eine kleine Differenz! |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | Dann will ich es aber braten. |
| You don't know the story behind it. | Du kennst die Geschichte dahinter nicht. |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | Oh okay. Gibt es ein Problem mit deinem Haus? |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | Nein, ich lüge nicht! Ich lüge nie. |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | Nun, ich hoffe er macht nicht das ganze Haus voller Häufchen! |
| Are they older or younger? | Sind sie jünger oder älter? |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | Und er sieht jetzt ungefähr 3 Jahre alt aus. |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | Oh mein Gott! Es ist fast 12 Uhr. |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | Hier, du kannst ihn dir nehmen, aber sei vorsichtig, er ist sehr heiß. |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | Es ist schwer für mich, mehr als einmal pro Jahr hinzureisen. |
| You are very funny mate. | Sehr witzig. |
| I need to wake him up now! | Ich muss ihn jetzt aufwecken! |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | Deswegen vertraue ich ruhigen Menschen nie... |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | Gehst du oft dahin? |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | Komm schon, weine nicht. Sie ist nur ein dummes Mädchen! |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | Es ist immer noch £5 mehr als für das große Zimmer! |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | Ja, es gibt auch ein paar Messer. |