







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 | |
|---|---|
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |
| Sorry, I forgot to tell you, you need to turn the tap on very gently. | |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Erm... You look about 30? | |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | |
| Where are you? | |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | |
| It's the second one from the top. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | |