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 | |
---|---|
I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | |
No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | |
Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | |
The meeting is not the actual problem! | |
No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
I live just opposite the pub. | |
I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | |
Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | |
That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | |
Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | |
That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | |
Do you know her well? | |
I've got a meeting with some people. | |
How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | |
Is that right? | |
It sounds important. |