







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| So do you want me to find a house by myself? | |
| Exactly, one of them is asking for 3,500, the other one is 3,000... | |
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | |
| You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | |
| I don't think it's possible to find anymore variations. | |
| Also, he has got a very lovely, cute dog. | |
| Thank you very much! | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| It's all your fault! I feel so embarrassed now... | |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | |
| That's why they're 50% off. | |