







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'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | |
| It sounds important. | |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| I think we should wait for a while till all that smoke disappears. | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| Do you know how to use them? | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | |
| What kind of trick is that? | |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |