







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 | |
|---|---|
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| It's about a web project. | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | |
| No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
| Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | |