







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 | |
|---|---|
| Is your father sick? | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | |
| Why do you want to live there? | |
| But their room is almost double the size of our room! | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | |
| Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | |
| Thank you very much! | |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
| He is a Chow Chow. | |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | |