







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's always the same. | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | |
| No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | |
| Yes, of course I remember. | |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |