







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 | |
|---|---|
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | |
| Where is my f*cking tenner? | |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |