







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 | |
|---|---|
| How do you get to Brighton? | Come arrivi a Brighton? |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | Ti sto solo stuzzicando mia cara, 200° va bene! |
| I go out sometimes with the girls from school. | A volte esco con le ragazze della scuola. |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | E per quanto difficile da credere, è pulito. |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | Allora, non penso che dobbiamo vedere la prossima! |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | Non penso sia normale, tu pensi sia normale? |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | Credo di meritarmi un bacio… |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Ok, il totale è £ 36,74 signore. |
| 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. |
| And the buses always arrive on time. | E gli autobus arrivano sempre in orario. |
| Do you have any sisters or brothers? | Hai dei fratelli o sorelle? |
| Dear, who is it? | Caro, chi è? |
| I hate taking long flights! | Odio i voli lunghi! |
| Yes, I think she's great! | Sì, penso sia fantastica! |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | Uova e bacon con un po’ di olive mi bastano. |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | Scusa, la linea è disturbata! |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | Il mio film preferito è Pulp Fiction. |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | Non penso che dovremo pagarlo. |
| Is it because it's too violent? | È perché è troppo violento? |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | L'ho finalmente completato e domani è il grande giorno! |