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've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | 我终于完成了,明天是个大日子! |
The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 下面那些看起来更新鲜。 |
Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | 哦,但是房间是方形的,里面只有四个主要的物体。 |
Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | 哈喽,你的狗是什么品种,迈克? |
I live very close by. | 我住的非常近。 |
Hello mate, where are you? | 喂,伙计,你在哪呢? |
He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | 它只有在极度焦虑的情况下才会这么做! |
Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 当然,我已经好好研究了一番,有525米长。 |
Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | 谁知道,我只将它看作一种兴趣。 |
Are you close friends? | 你们是密友吗? |
Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | 不行,牡蛎卡只能用于伦敦的交通。 |
How much are they supposed to pay? | 他们应当支付给你多少钱? |
Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | 好的,我的电话号码是0773***0282。 |
What's wrong with him? | 他怎么了? |
Are you with your friends? | 你是跟你的朋友一起的吗? |
That's true! How much is your rent? | 确实是!你的房租是多少钱? |
It makes all of our clothes stink! | 这会让我们所有衣服都发臭! |
Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 好的!那么谁想要喝霞多丽? |
They also have three big windows in their room! | 他们的房间还有3个大窗户! |
They weigh everything at the checkout. | 他们所有的东西都要在柜台称。 |