







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | |
| Okay, it seems they have no aggression towards each other. | |
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | |
| What about that table? It looks better. | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | |
| Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | |
| I'm an English teacher. | |
| Set times always stress me out. | |