







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| That's why they're 50% off. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | |
| It's got some water marks on it! | |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| I prefer red onions. | |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | |
| I hope it’s not serious. | |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |