







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 | |
|---|---|
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | |
| Yes, that's the one. | |
| But I think that's only for older women. | |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | |
| Is she here with you? | |
| Because the other people complain about me smoking there. | |
| I will ask him to take Bear out, so we can have breakfast. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | |