







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 | |
|---|---|
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| Yeah, I've got it! | |
| Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
| How is it my fault? | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| I'm not really in the mood to join them. | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| Where are you? | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | |