







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 | |
|---|---|
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| Which website do you use? | |
| Okay, that's fine. | |
| Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | |
| I feel hungry, too. | |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | |
| Do you live in this house, too? | |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | |