







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, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | |
| His name's Sergio. | |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| Thank you very much! | |