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 | |
---|---|
Everything is the same as it's advertised. | Tutto quanto è come descritto nell’annuncio. |
No, what is that? | No, che cosa? |
But... I'm not good at lying... | Ma… Non sono brava a mentire… |
360 degrees should be good. | 360 gradi dovrebbero essere abbastanza. |
He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | Vuole farlo, ma stasera non è possibile. |
It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | È come; l'autobus che stai aspettando non arriva mai. |
Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | Ehi, qual è la stazione più vicina a Chinatown? |
But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | Ma non penso di poterli usare tutti, sono troppi! |
It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | È come se ci fosse il male nascosto dentro di loro! |
Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | Oh no! Sicuri di non avere nulla disponibile? |
Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | Scusa, spero di non aver rovinato i tuoi ricordi d’infanzia… |
Maybe I know your friend. | Magari conosco il tuo amico. |
Do you know how to use them? | Sai come usarle? |
I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | Ti sto solo stuzzicando mia cara, 200° va bene! |
Okay, I found it... but it looks filthy! | Ok l’ho trovato… Ma sembra sporco! |
The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | La ricetta non viene da Internet, è di un libro di Jaimie Oliver. |
I guess mine is older than yours! | Mi sa che il mio è più vecchio del tuo! |
Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | Ok, quello grattugiato ha il 20% di sconto oggi. |
Is there a garlic crusher, then? | C’è uno spremi aglio allora? |
Do you have any relatives in London? | Hai dei parenti a Londra? |