







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 | |
|---|---|
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | Non so, probabilmente la metterei nel cestino. |
| Is your father sick? | Tuo padre è malato? |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Mi scusi signore, ecco i vostri drink e il menù. |
| What kind of trick is that? | Che tipo di trucco? |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | Posso portarlo come quando ritorno per colazione. |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | No, ho una brutta allergia. |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | Sì, costano tutti all’incirca 2 sterline. |
| No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | No, non è mia, penso appartenga alla casa. |
| I like girls' nights out. | Mi piacciono le serate fuori fra ragazze. |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | Non voglio che tu spenda una fortuna. |
| Hello mate, where are you? | Ciao amico, dove sei? |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | Mi spiace molto, che tipo di malattia è? |
| Where are you? | Dove sei? |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | Grazie Rocco, è tutto per ora. |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | Sono d’accordo, i voli lunghi non sono molto piacevoli. |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | Ti senti un po’ meglio ora? |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | Esatto, penso che anche le pentole a pressione siano molto pericolose! |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | Mi dispiace dire che non sono ammessi animali domestici in casa! |
| I hope it’s not serious. | Spero non sia niente di serio. |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | Ho visto quanto può essere difficile e costoso. |