







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 | |
|---|---|
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| We call it a sixth sense! | |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | |
| How old do I look? | |
| Do you know her well? | |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | |
| What's the date today? | |
| I usually take the train. | |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | |
| When I have free time. | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |