







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 | |
|---|---|
| Why do you think it's weird? | Perché pensi che sia strano? |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | Mi sa che il mio è più vecchio del tuo! |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | Esatto, non dovremmo mai dimenticare quanto siano irresponsabili i miei coinquilini. |
| You need to change planes at some point on the way. | Bisogna cambiare aereo ad un certo punto del viaggio. |
| You look much younger than that. | Sembri molto più giovane. |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Ok, il totale è £ 36,74 signore. |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Sai, di solito ho le lezioni la mattina presto. |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | Sembra essere interessato a te! |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | Grazie Rocco, è tutto per ora. |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | Non ho tempo di cucinare tutti i giorni. |
| It sounds like a good deal. | Sembra un'ottimo affare. |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | Non riesco a crederci che non ci arrivi! |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | Merda! Non riesco a credere che siano già le 10:30! |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | Oddio, mi sento così stanca ora. |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | Vuoi che lavi la bottiglia di vino prima di versarlo? |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | Ehm... Non è lì? |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | Ehi Mike, sembri molto preoccupato! |
| How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | Come osa… È così stupido!!! |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | Ehm, era la manager del marketing dell’azienda. |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | Bene, spero che non continuerà a fare la cacca in tutta la casa! |