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 | |
---|---|
What is it about? | |
I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
Is it because it's too violent? | |
Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | |
I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | |
They're there, under the duvet. | |
I'm a web designer. | |
The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |
How much do you pay for your room? | |
I was just joking, how are you? | |
Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | |
Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | |
Do you mean the guy with the beard? | |
That's a perfect time to see a house... | |
But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | |
Is it a single or a double room? | |
Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? |