







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| What does Diego do? | |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | |
| I need to wake him up now! | |