







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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| What genre do you listen to? | |
| Hello there, are you Cate? | |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| How long does the flight usually take? | |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | |
| Do you want me to call them? | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| I don't like their chardonnay. | |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | |