







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | |
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | |
| Yes, I like them, too. | |
| No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | |
| He is a Chow Chow. | |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | |
| 50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | |