







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 | |
|---|---|
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
| Yes, of course I remember. | |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | |
| It's all your fault! I feel so embarrassed now... | |
| I live very close by. | |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | |
| I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |
| When I have free time. | |