







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 | |
|---|---|
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | |
| Is it a single or a double room? | |
| Do we have any paper towels? | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | |
| Hmm.. I think it's overdue. | |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | |