







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |
| Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | |
| No, what is that? | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| Do you like red or white onions? | |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | |
| Where are you? | |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | |