







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | |
| How old are you? | |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | |
| Do we have any paper towels? | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | |
| Yes it is, how are you? | |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Hi there, are you ready? | |
| The rice section is over there. | |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | |