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 | |
---|---|
Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | Sì, lei ritorna, ma non è quello che faccio sempre? |
That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | Esatto, non dovremmo mai dimenticare quanto siano irresponsabili i miei coinquilini. |
See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Ci vediamo Mike, spero di rivederti. |
Then people come and complain to me! | Poi la gente arriva e si lamenta con me! |
Yeah, that's a good idea! | Sì, è una buona idea! |
And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | E a piano terra abbiamo un accesso migliore al giardino. |
Do you want me to put it in the bin? | Vuoi che la butti nella spazzatura? |
What's your favourite movie? | Qual è il tuo film preferito? |
And Pogo gets very scared of the crowd and the noise. | E Pogo si spaventa molto a causa della folla e del rumore. |
Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | Ok abbiamo tutto quello che ci serve allora. |
No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | No, non è mia, penso appartenga alla casa. |
Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | Sì, costano tutti all’incirca 2 sterline. |
Yeah, that's a good idea. | Sì, è una buona idea. |
Is that you, Mike? | Sei tu, Mike? |
He is 70 and my mum is 64. | Lui ha 70 anni, e mia mamma 64. |
When I have free time. | Quando ho del tempo libero. |
A one year course? What kind of course is it? | Un corso di un anno? Che tipo di corso è? |
What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | Qual è il tuo budget mensile massimo per l’affitto? |
Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | Il ragazzino pensa di essere un robot o il robot pensa di essere un ragazzino? |
I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | Io penso di avere un’idea migliore su cosa possiamo farci con il letto! |