







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do we have a sieve? | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | |
| How much garlic do you want? | |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | |
| Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Dear, who is it? | |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | |
| But for how many people? | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | |