







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 | |
|---|---|
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | |
| I will ask him to take Bear out, so we can have breakfast. | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |
| Is it big money? | |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | |