







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 | |
|---|---|
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| I think the price is very cheap. | |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | |
| I'm a web designer. | |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | |
| That's true! How much is your rent? | |
| But I think that's only for older women. | |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | |