







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| You are absolutely right! | |
| No worries, it's free for you today. | |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
| It's the second one from the top. | |
| Pogo is my little cat, is there a problem with that? | |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |