







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 | |
|---|---|
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | |
| Erm... You look about 30? | |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | |
| Do you remember me? | |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | |
| I hope it’s not serious. | |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | |