







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 | |
|---|---|
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | |
| What does Diego do? | |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I feel hungry, too. | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | |
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | |