







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 | |
|---|---|
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | |
| What else do we need? | |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| My cat is in the garden. | |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
| I live very close by. | |
| Do we have any bread to toast? | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| I only have 3 hours today. | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |