







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | Ok abbiamo tutto quello che ci serve allora. |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | Quanto dovrebbero pagarti? |
| That's not nice, Mike! | Non è carino, Mike! |
| I really don't want to see her again! | Non voglio proprio vederla di nuovo! |
| What is it about? | Di cosa parla? |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | I miei padroni di casa sono una coppia gay. |
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | Beh, sono abituata alle cattive notizie oggi, che c’è? |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | Ma certo! È il mio pub preferito. |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | È possibile trasferirsi domani? |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Ci vediamo Mike, spero di rivederti. |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | Nulla, perché non so che aspetto ha la donna. |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | Va bene, non è un problema. |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | Non è una semplice riunione che viene cancellata? |
| Okay, who sings it? | Ok, chi canta? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | È una cosa molto triste, quanti anni hanno i tuoi genitori? |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | Sì, penso che questo guardaroba sia troppo piccolo per due persone. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | Mi dispiace molto per l’inconveniente. |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | C'è qualcos'altro che posso fare per te, amore? |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | Sì, ma la stanza è quadrata e ci sono solo quattro oggetti principali dentro. |
| Do you have any relatives in London? | Hai dei parenti a Londra? |