







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 | |
|---|---|
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | Credo che voglia bere un po’ d’acqua. |
| How old are you? | Quanti anni hai tu? |
| I'm really sorry about that! | Mi dispiace davvero tanto! |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | Sì, ti sento, ma non capisco! |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | No, questo è il marchio del negozio, ecco perché non è troppo costoso. |
| I hope it's not related to me! | Spero che non sia per causa mia! |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | Ma… Non sono brava a mentire… |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | Oddio, mi sento così stanca ora. |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | La ricetta dice 600 g. |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | È febbre da fieno? Ho delle pillole per quella! |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Sai, di solito ho le lezioni la mattina presto. |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | Mi dispiace, a volte non sono bravo a ricordarmi i nomi! |
| Yes, that's the one. | Sì, proprio quello. |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | Scusami, devo andare al bagno. |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | Ti piacciono con o senza pelle? |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Ok, a quale temperatura vuoi che lo metta? |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | Bello! Spero non lo faccia sempre! |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | Il mio film preferito è Pulp Fiction. |
| I feel hungry, too. | Anch'io ho fame. |
| Are you close friends? | Siete buoni amici? |