







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 hate taking long flights! | |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |
| How many people live in this house? | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | |
| There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | |
| Who is Mike, darling? | |
| No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | |