







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | |
| Yes, of course I remember. | |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | |
| Hi there, are you ready? | |
| Yes, I like them, too. | |