







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 we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | |
| Hi there, are you ready? | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | |