







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 | |
|---|---|
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
| How much rice do you need? | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| It says best before 25th of February. | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| That's very interesting! | |
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| I see, I love cooking! | |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | |