







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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | |
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | |
| Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | |
| How long does the flight usually take? | |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | |
| What does Diego do? | |
| We call it a sixth sense! | |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | |
| How long does it usually take? | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| How much rice do you need? | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | |