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 | |
---|---|
Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | |
No, I don't have one! | |
My laptop is in it. | |
I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
It's almost 09:30. | |
We all love bank holidays. | |
Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
Yes it is, how are you? | |
But I don't know him well. | |
Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
Is that a crack in the bath? | |
I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | |
No, I have really bad allergies. | |
Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | |
Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | |
So it comes to 2,800 a month! | |
Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. |