







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 | |
|---|---|
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| Do you have another one? | |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | |
| It's all your fault! I feel so embarrassed now... | |