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 | |
---|---|
Hi girls, this is Mike. | |
Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | |
See you Mike, hope to see you again. | |
I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | |
The packets have 2 pieces in them. | |
Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | |
Do you want me to tell her that you are here? | |
Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | |
They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | |
And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | |
That's why the rent is much lower than average. | |
Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
Because you are in it. | |
Aren't there four of us dear? | |
Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
I feel hungry, too. | |
Is there any other cat around? |