







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, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | 好的,你想要我设成多少度? |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | 我觉得你把我叫醒的次数比蚊子还频繁! |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 嗨,哪个站离唐人街最近? |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 正如我说的,两个个一起开要容易的多。 |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 其次,兽医的收费很贵! |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | 嗯,迪克在这,亲爱的,他是房东... |
| Why? What's wrong? | 怎么了?有什么问题吗? |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 对的,我们决不能忘记我的室友们是多么不负责任。 |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | 不知道,因为我不知道那个妇人长得怎样。 |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | 当然,我会做菜,但是只在我喜欢的时候。 |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 我对此有点疑惧。 |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | 哦不是吧!你确定没有空余的了吗? |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 好的,已经在这里打开了... |
| I'm not really in the mood to join them. | 我真的没有心情加入她们。 |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | 这是很好的选择,他们这里的鱿鱼也做的不错。 |
| Are you with your friends? | 你是跟你的朋友一起的吗? |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 对此我真的很抱歉! |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 是的,可以,我们正要离开。 |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | 我需要在明天保持清醒和静力充沛的状态。 |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 因为我确定在伦敦他们没有虫子这道菜! |