







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 | |
|---|---|
| It sounds like a good deal. | |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| Are you really asking me that question? | |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| I need to use chicken stock for the risotto! | |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| Hi there, are you ready? | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| I wish you all the best. | |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | |