







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 | |
|---|---|
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | |
| What's your plan, Cate? | |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| How long does the flight usually take? | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | |
| Is that what you want me to do? | |