







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 | |
|---|---|
| How long does it usually take? | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| It's always the same. | |
| That's a good question! | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | |
| Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| How are you? | |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |