







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 | |
|---|---|
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | Vuole farlo, ma stasera non è possibile. |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | L’ho fatto? Non so… Che cosa? |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | Quello in fondo sembra più fresco. |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | Sissignore, potete sedervi a questo tavolo. |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | È molto difficile per me andare là più di una volta all’anno. |
| I prefer red onions. | Preferisco le cipolle rosse. |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Ok, il totale è £ 36,74 signore. |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | Il luogo dove si svolgerà la riunione è molto vicino al pontile di Brighton. |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | Cate, stai bene? Mi sembra un po’ aggressiva. |
| But I think that's only for older women. | Ma penso valga solo per le donne più anziane. |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | La prima è lavare i piatti o pulire? |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | Ho portato fuori Bear e sto per uscire. |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | Ecco perché non riesci a trovare la risposta! |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | No non sto mentendo! Non mento mai. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | Sì, voglio vedere il bagno… |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | Lui ha 70 anni, e mia mamma 64. |
| You look much younger than that. | Sembri molto più giovane. |
| Do you live around here? | Vivi qui vicino? |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | Sì, è molto importante per me, in realtà. |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | Sì, penso sia un po’ presto per bussare alla porta di qualcuno! |