







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 | |
|---|---|
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| Hope to see you later. | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| Does anyone else need anything? | |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | |
| What's the date today? | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | |
| It says best before 25th of February. | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | |