







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 | |
|---|---|
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | Ma l’annuncio diceva che la casa è completamente ammobiliata! |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | Ne ho guardata qualcuna, non c’è nulla che mi piaccia finora. |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | Come dicono il tempo è la miglior medicina. |
| Do you have any relatives in London? | Hai dei parenti a Londra? |
| Yes, he is one of them. | Sì, lui è uno di quelli. |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | No, scoliamo la pasta con una grattugia. |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | Normalmente è molto più costoso degli altri. |
| I like girls' nights out. | Mi piacciono le serate fuori fra ragazze. |
| Do you like train rides, too? | Ti piace anche andare in treno? |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | Sì, sembra più logico in questo caso. |
| What is it about? | Di cosa parla? |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | No, non va bene, adesso sono fregato! |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | Hai ragione, probabilmente vale più di una sigaretta. |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | Non sono stata là prima, dov’è? |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | Come vuoi farmi sminuzzare le cipolle, grandi o piccole? |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | Sono sicuro che sia al solito posto. |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | Le regole per la dogana sono molto rigide in Australia. |
| What's the date today? | Che giorno è oggi? |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | È più che abbastanza, ho bisogno anche di un po’ d’aglio. |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | Va bene, non è un problema. |