







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 | |
|---|---|
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| I'm happy to hear that. | |
| Depends on where you look. | |
| It's almost 09:30. | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | |
| How is there four of us? | |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | |
| But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | |
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |