







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's very interesting! | |
| How many people live in this house? | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | |
| We call it a sixth sense! | |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
| How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | |
| Yes, I think she's great! | |
| I think the price is very cheap. | |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | |