







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 cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| Do you like train rides, too? | |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | |
| It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | |
| He is the bartender. | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |