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 | |
---|---|
50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | |
What is it about? | |
Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | |
Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | |
What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | |
You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | |
No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | |
Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | |
I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | |
Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | |
First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | |
People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | |
It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. |