







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 | |
|---|---|
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | Also, lebst du auch hier in der Gegend? |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | Nun, vielleicht können wir in eine Zweizimmerwohnung ziehen. Was denkst du? |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | Hey, in der Toilette ist ein Fremder. Wer ist das? |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | Ich schätze meiner ist älter als deiner! |
| That's very interesting! | Das ist sehr interessant! |
| I hope he gets well soon. | Ich hoffe er wird bald wieder gesund. |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | Ich weiß nicht wirklich, was ist deiner? |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | Ich habe einen Termin beim Innenministerium wegen der Verlängerung meines Visums. |
| What do you do? | Was arbeitest du? |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Verzeihung, hier sind Ihre Getränke und die Speisekarte. |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | Ich arbeite meistens bis spät in die Nacht. Ich stehe nie um 07:00 Uhr früh auf. |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | Ähm Entschuldigung, aber ich denke Sie meinen einen anderen Mike... |
| They are both okay for me. | Beide sind für mich okay. |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | Oh hallo... Ich habe vergessen zu erwähnen, dass es auch ein ganz besonderer Anlass ist... |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | Es ist ein Doppelzimmer und eine Putzfrau kommt einmal pro Woche. |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | Oh hau ab. Ich muss jetzt gehen... |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | Vielen Dank für das Angebot. |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | Okay, ich denke ich weiß wer er ist. |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | Ja, ist es. Aber bei dir ist es nicht so offensichtlich. |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | Danke Rocco, das ist alles soweit. |