







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hi there, are you ready? | |
| Is your father sick? | |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | |
| Do you remember me? | |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | |
| I need to use chicken stock for the risotto! | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |