







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 red or white onions? | Ti piacciono le cipolle rosse o bianche? |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | L’altra è 3000, ma include tutte le bollette. |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | È una specie di festa di benvenuto per lei. |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | Non importa, credo siano alla stessa distanza. |
| Thank you very much! | Grazie mille! |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | Ma una costa £ 2,44 e l’altra £ 1,22. |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | Oh, andiamo cara, stavo solo scherzando, lo sai… |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | Sì, il tizio con la barba è Mike. |
| I prefer red onions. | Preferisco le cipolle rosse. |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | Sei molto realistica cara, dov’è la tua fede nuziale? |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | Grazie Rocco, è tutto per ora. |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | Penso di sì, almeno non c’è aggressività. |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Ci vediamo Mike, spero di rivederti. |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | Chi c**zo è, che ore sono? |
| What's the date today? | Che giorno è oggi? |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | Non penso sia un film adatto ai bambini, caro. |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | Che c’è? Va tutto bene? |
| It's not borrowing, it's stealing! | Non è prendere in prestito, è rubare! |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | Ciao ragazze, questo è Mike. |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | È più che abbastanza, ho bisogno anche di un po’ d’aglio. |