







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 | |
|---|---|
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | Per me, non sprecare è più strano! |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | Sì, è molto importante per me, in realtà. |
| It's about a web project. | Si tratta di un progetto web. |
| It sounds important. | Sembra importante. |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | Non voglio vivere in periferia! |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | L'ho finalmente completato e domani è il grande giorno! |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | Ah, mi spiace molto, ma stasera siamo al completo! |
| We call it a sixth sense! | Chiamiamolo sesto senso! |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | Mi sa che il mio è più vecchio del tuo! |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | Sembra essere interessato a te! |
| Also, one of my friends works there. | Inoltre, ci lavora uno dei miei amici. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | Di solito è in cima a destra dello schermo. |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | Congratulazioni, buona fortuna. |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | Ad ogni modo, anche tu vivi qui vicino? |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | Non preoccuparti, non lo facciamo tutti i giorni. |
| I usually take the train. | Di solito prendo il treno. |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | Un mazzetto è abbastanza per te? |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | È uno dei miei migliori amici, sfortunatamente. |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | Dato che fumo, io preferisco sedermi fuori. |
| You are lucky! | Che fortuna! |