







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 think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | |
| Are you close friends? | |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | |
| He is the bartender. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | |
| Yes it is, how are you? | |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| Are you serious? | |