







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | |
| When you stop believing we can get a house in Mayfair for 2,400! | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| She is half Japanese, half Australian. | |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | |
| I hope it’s not serious. | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | |
| It sounds like a good deal. | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |