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 | |
---|---|
Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | O peggio, a volte fanno una festa a casa! |
Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | Perché non paghiamo 100 di più a testa, e prendiamo una casa a Mayfair? |
That's nice, what do you usually cook? | Che bello, cosa cucini di solito? |
You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | Hai ragione, c’è qualcosa che vuoi che compri sulla strada? |
For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | Per il risotto ho bisogno di un po’ di riso arborio. |
I've got a meeting with some people. | Ho una riunione con alcune persone. |
Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | Non pensi che due forchette siano abbastanza per noi? |
Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | Sì, credo che uccidere le zanzare vada bene. |
That's very interesting! | Molto interessante! |
It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | È una stanza doppia più c’è il servizio pulizia una volta a settimana. |
Is your dog a Chow Chow? | Il tuo cane è un Chow Chow? |
No, but that's what I feel like having... | No, ma è quello che mi va di mangiare… |
Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | Sì, voglio vedere il bagno… |
Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | Già, mi domando se abbiamo lo stesso gusto nei film! |
Hi, I don't think it's broken. | Non penso sia rotta. |
I have no idea what arborio rice is! | Non ho idea di cosa sia il riso arborio! |
Isn't it faster taking the tube? | Non è più veloce prendere la metro? |
Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | Magari preferiscono i fornelli elettrici nelle case condivise per motivi di sicurezza. |
Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | Perché? Mi sembra piuttosto pulito! |
Do we have any bread to toast? | C’è un po’ di pane per i toast? |