







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 | |
|---|---|
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | |
| Oh, I think I know them. | |
| You look a bit sad, are you okay? | |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | |
| Don't you think it's too far away from the tube station? | |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | |
| Is it big money? | |
| Is it because it's too violent? | |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | |
| Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? | |
| Erm... I know I snore occasionally, do I snore everyday? | |