







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | No, scoliamo la pasta con una grattugia. |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Ma è scaduto e c’è un buco. |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | Sì, è normale, a volte soffia anche ai miei calzini nuovi! |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | Poteva anche essere sua mamma… Chi lo sa? |
| Why do you want to live there? | Perché vuoi vivere la? |
| How much rice do you need? | Di quanto riso hai bisogno? |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | Ecco perché non riesci a trovare la risposta! |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | Sì, è una buona idea. |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | Ad ogni modo, cos’altro c’è rimasto da fare adesso? |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | Davvero? Come faccio a svegliarti? |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | Ma magari si stanno separando, non lo so ancora. |
| It sounds like a good deal. | Sembra un'ottimo affare. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | Sì, voglio vedere il bagno… |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | Non riesco a crederci che non ci arrivi! |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | C’è qualcos’altro che vuoi che faccia? |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Quale appuntamento? Vuoi dire la casa ad Angel? |
| What kind of trick is that? | Che tipo di trucco? |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | Erm, scusi, penso che abbia sbagliato Mike… |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | Sì, continuo a non farlo. |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | A volte non riconosce neppure mia mamma. |