







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | |
| You are absolutely right! | |
| The meeting is not the actual problem! | |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| He is fine. | |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |
| Hello there, are you Cate? | |
| Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |