







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | Ti piacciono con o senza pelle? |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | Oddio, mi sento così stanca ora. |
| Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | Benvenuti al Diamond Duck, ha una prenotazione, signore? |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | Ma Bear ha la displasia ad un’anca. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | Di solito è in cima a destra dello schermo. |
| Do you want me to put it in the bin? | Vuoi che la butti nella spazzatura? |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | È una specie di festa di benvenuto per lei. |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | Ho portato fuori Bear e sto per uscire. |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | Oh scusi caro, mio marito ha difficoltà di udito… |
| Ta-ta here it is... | Ta-da eccola qui… |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | Per me, non sprecare è più strano! |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | Dov’è Flora, non è qui? |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | C’è uno spremi aglio allora? |
| All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | C'è tutto il mio lavoro in quel laptop e non ho nessun backup! |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | Giusto, sono sicuro che non pagano così tanto! |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | È molto difficile parlare con te al telefono in questo momento. |
| That's very interesting! | Molto interessante! |
| Do you know how to use them? | Sai come usarle? |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | Fa puzzare tutti i nostri vestiti! |
| Is there a knife? | C’è un coltello? |