







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 | |
|---|---|
| What else do we need? | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |
| Because you are in it. | |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
| Who is Mike, darling? | |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | |
| Do we have a sieve? | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | |
| Oh f*ck, what kind of tap is this? | |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | |
| Yes, I like them, too. | |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |
| You look much younger than that. | |
| I think the price is very cheap. | |