







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 really don't want to see her again! | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| I live very close by. | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| You are absolutely right! | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| What do you do? | |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |