







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 | |
|---|---|
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | |
| Thank you very much! | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | |
| He is a Chow Chow. | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Mike, it is a continent! | |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |