







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 | |
|---|---|
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |
| What’s their name? | |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| I'm happy to hear that. | |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| Yeah, I've got it! | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |