







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 too fruity. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| Set times always stress me out. | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| He is fine. | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | |
| How is your cat? | |