







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 | |
|---|---|
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | Poi deciderai se sono un buon cuoco o no! |
| Is that okay for you? | Va bene per te? |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | Ma quale pulsante? Non si vede quale pulsante controlla cosa! |
| I only have 3 hours today. | Ho solo 3 ore oggi. |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmmm... si, andiamo molto d'accordo. |
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | Vuoi che ti faccia una tazza di tè o caffè? |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | Che brutto, hai il raffreddore? |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | Il mio film preferito è Pulp Fiction. |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | Sì va bene stiamo per andarcene. |
| Yes, that's the one. | Sì, proprio quello. |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | Non lo so davvero, ma credo sia più vecchia di 100 anni. |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | Mio marito ed io lo apprezziamo molto. |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | Sembra che non ci sia nessuno in casa! |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | Hai dei fratelli o sorelle? |
| Do you mean the guy with the beard? | Vuoi dire il tizio con la barba? |
| What about that table? It looks better. | Cosa ne dice di quel tavolo? Sembra meglio. |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | Vuole farlo, ma stasera non è possibile. |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | No, non voglio… Non voglio più una casa a Mayfair! |
| I prefer red onions. | Preferisco le cipolle rosse. |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | Non so in realtà, tu? |