







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| You don't know the story behind it. | |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| But I don't know him well. | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | |
| I'm happy to hear that. | |
| That's good, seeing three houses in one day is not bad. | |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | |
| Is that okay for you? | |
| What line is it on? | |
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | |
| I go out sometimes with the girls from school. | |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | |
| You are very funny mate. | |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | |