







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 | |
|---|---|
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| There is no direct flight from London to Perth. | |
| Do you want me to call them? | |
| It's always the same. | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | |
| Is that okay for you? | |
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | |
| I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | |
| No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | |
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |